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Primitive Music of the World

Various Artists
Primitive Music of the World
*Content Advisory: Though the songs included on this album are valuable in their artistry and cultural significance, this album contains 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 We have chosen to post the album and liner notes in their original form, as they are historical documents.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
Timpun (Chant) Song Semambu Murut men and women 02:05
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102
Wahgi and Chimbu Melodies (1) Two men playing spirit-flute 00:47
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103
Wahgi and Chimbu Melodies (2) Four men playing spirit-flute 01:09
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104
Drumming for a Ceremony / Singing for Dancing Mahafaly drummers, chorus 00:57
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105
Drumming for Dancing Mahafaly drummers 00:36
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106
Flute Music (1) Two Guna (Kuna) men, San Blas Islands, Panama 02:17
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107
Flute Music (2) Two Guna (Kuna) men, San Blas Islands, Panama 01:41
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108
Elephant-Hunting Song* Mbuti men and boys 02:13
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109
Cloud Chant Rirratjingu songman with didjeridu puller, rhythm sticks 02:55
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201
Hero Narrative Poem Ainu man with chorus, Hokkaido, Japan 00:45
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202
Narrative Poem Ainu man, Hokkaido, Japan 01:46
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203
Ceremonial Drinking Song Ainu man with chorus, Hokkaido, Japan 01:14
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204
Ceremonial Song Mahafaly men and boys 01:34
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205
Girl's Game (Baker Lake) Angutnak and Matee of Baker Lake, Nunavut 01:55
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206
Alus (Spirit of the Tiger) Temiar men and women recorded at Gerik 03:28
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207
Nose Flute Melody Temiar nose flute player recorded at Gerik 02:04
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301
Night Chant (Yeibichai) Navajo performers during Yeibichai ceremony 01:41
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302
The Enemy Way Dance Navajo male singers with drum 01:15
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303
Ahorohani (Work Song) Garifuna women, Barrio Cristales, Trujillo 02:08
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304
Abor Song No. 3 Male soloist and villagers of Mebo, Abor Hills, Assam 01:53
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305
Song about a Man / Song about a Cow Per Henderak Haetta, Mathis N. Haetta 01:14
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306
Man Singing a Love Song / Woman Singing a Lullaby Maguindanaoan woman and man 02:47
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307
Flute Solo / Drum Music Maguindanaoan flute player and lantung players 02:55
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401
Bapende Chorus / Drumming (Bambala Dance) / Signal Drumming Bapende men and women during house-building, Bambala drummer, Bambala chief 02:43
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402
Sansa and Chorus / Xylophone Played by Two Men Bapende men with voice and sansa, Bapende xylophone players 01:56
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403
Religious Music Indo-Trinidadian musicians 03:25
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404
Male Solo (1) Male singer, Turkmenistan 01:16
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405
Flute Solo Flute player, Turkmenistan 01:21
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406
Male Solo (2) Male singer, Turkmenistan 01:16
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407
Vedda Tribe Vedda (Wanniyalaetto) singer with drum, Sri Lanka 02:36
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408
Festivity Festival participants, Angola 01:53
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409
Male Solo Guna (Kuna) man, San Blas Islands, Panama 00:42
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410
Boru Flute Solo Man playing boru flute, Isla del Sol, Lake Titicata 00:33
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411
Haka of Wairangi Māori man with mixed chorus 01:05