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Primitive Music of the World

Various Artists
Primitive Music of the World
*Content Advisory: This album’s title and liner notes contain dated language and concepts. We are aware that presenting Indigenous music as “primitive” is harmful to the communities that create it, their descendants, and to public discourse in general. Smithsonian Folkways has chosen to keep this album in circulation because of the value of the unique musical performances it presents. The liner notes, however, reflect a now-discredited school of thought in early-twentieth-century scholarship that assumed that communities not characterized by Western cultural patterns and processes were “pure” reflections of earlier stages of cultural evolution. This album is a collection of songs from non-Western communities presented here to support theories about non-Western music and societies. We have chosen to post the album and liner notes in their original form, as they are historical documents. However, we also acknowledge that this school of thought has perpetuated racist views and policies toward the Indigenous peoples it characterizes. We encourage the reader to learn more by clicking here.
For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

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101
Murut Music of North Borneo - Timpun: Chant Lansaran 02:05
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102
Music of New Guinea - Wahgi and Chimbu Melodies n/a 00:47
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103
Music of New Guinea - Wahgi and Chimbu Melodies n/a 01:09
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104
Music of Malagasy - Drumming for a Ceremony / Music of Malagasy - Singing for Dancing (medley) n/a 00:57
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105
Music of Malagasy - Drumming for Dancing n/a 00:36
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106
Music of Panama - Flute Music n/a 02:17
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107
Music of Panama - Flute Music n/a 01:41
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108
Pygmies of the Ituri Forest - Elephant Hunting Song n/a 02:13
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109
Music of Australia - Cloud Chant n/a 02:55
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201
Music of North Japan - Hero Narrative Poem n/a 00:45
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202
Music of North Japan - Narrative Poem n/a 01:46
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203
Music of North Japan - Ceremonial Drinking Song with Voices n/a 01:14
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204
Music of Malagasy - Ceremonial Song n/a 01:34
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205
Music of the Eskimos - Girl's Game* Angutnak, Matee 01:55
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206
Music from Malaya - Alus (Spirit of the Tiger): Temiar Dream Songs n/a 03:28
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207
Music from Malaya - Nose Flute Melody: Temiar Dream Songs n/a 02:04
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301
Music of the Navajo Indians - Night Chant: Yeibichai n/a 01:41
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302
Music of the Navajo Indians - The Enemy Way Dance n/a 01:15
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303
Music of the Black Caribs of Honduras - Ahorohani: Work Song n/a 02:08
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304
Songs of Assam - Abor Song No. 3 n/a 01:53
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305
Lappish Joik Songs from Northern Norway - Song about a Man / Song about a Cow (medley)* Per Henderak Haetta/Mathis N. Haetta 01:14
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306
Music of the Magindanao in the Philippines - Man Singing a Love Song / Woman Singing a Lullaby (medley) n/a 02:47
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307
Music of the Magindanao in the Philippines - Flute Solo / Drum Music (medley) n/a 02:55
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401
Folk Music of the Western Congo - Bapende Chorus / Bambala Dance: Drumming / Signal Drumming (medley) n/a 02:43
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402
Folk Music of the Western Congo - Sansa and Chorus / Xylophone Played by Two Men (medley) n/a 01:56
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403
East Indian Music in Trinidad - Religious Music n/a 03:25
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404
Music of Turkmen - Male Solo n/a 01:16
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405
Music of Turkmen - Flute Solo n/a 01:21
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406
Music of Turkmen - Male Solo n/a 01:16
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407
Music of Ceylon - Vedda Ceremonial Song n/a 02:36
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408
Music of Angola - Festivity n/a 01:53
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409
Music of Panama - Male Solo n/a 00:42
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410
Music of the Andes - Boru Flute Solo n/a 00:33
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411
Music of New Zealand - Haka of Wairangi: Maori Song with Chorus n/a 01:05