Skip to main content

Niger / Northern Benin: Music of the Fulani

Various Artists
Niger / Northern Benin: Music of the Fulani The Fulani are a very large, predominantly Muslim group of people living in communities scattered across Sub-Saharan Africa with the largest concentration in present-day Nigeria. Despite the distances between them and influences of their diverse local circumstances, the Fulani share a number of customs, with close similarities in language, crafts, and music. According to ethnomusicologist Simha Arom, the role of music in Fulani society is one of art whose primary purpose is to give pleasure and provide entertainment. This collection of field recordings made by Arom presents the music of the Fulani living in Niger and Benin (formerly Dahomey). The musical instruments vary slightly between regions, but they are always portable; the Fulani are nomadic. A millet stalk flute and a calabash gourd is the most common instrumental pairing in their music; however, this album also contains examples of the lute, reed pipe, and Jew’s harp.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Keree Di Baaba Tooto (Verses in Honor of Father Tooto) Ibraahiima Arba, Haamidu Hamma 02:35
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Asaru Na War E Maa Mahamuudu, Sumaana, Braahiima 03:15
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Malleeri Aamadu-Burayma, Abdullay-Aamadu 02:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Pakapaka (a, b, c, d) Mahamuudu, Hamma, Abdullaay 06:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Araabo Musicians playing flute and calabash 02:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Kompule Male singer, musicians playing flute and calabash, Téra Department, Niger 03:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Flagellation Song Gadu (solo voice) 01:49
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Bule Toko Male singer, musicians playing flute and calabash, Téra Department, Niger 02:47
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Lalle Damii (solo voice, with small women's choir) 02:17
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Ere Ere Damii (solo voice, accompanied by three young women) 02:01
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Pounding Millet Three women pounding millet, Téra Department, Niger 03:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
Bunyon Musicians playing flute and calabash, Téra Department, Niger 03:11
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Flagellation (a, b, c, d) Gadu 02:43
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Asibu Female singers and erikpe dancers, Kouandé, Benin 02:33