Sounds of a South African Homestead

Recorded in 1956, this compilation is arranged in three sections: “Dawn Chorus”, “Late Afternoon until Dark” and “Zulu Music”. While the first two represent sounds of nature distinct to South Africa, the third category forms an interesting contrast with manmade musical sounds of the Zulu. But as Raymond B. Cowles states, this disparity fashions the most complete ‘sound-image’ of the Zulu peoples linking both nature and man: “A representative blend of African sounds, human, domestic animals, and birds, could seemingly produce the most valid sound picture available … ” Liner notes include detailed information on the nature sounds recorded, as well as the music and musical instruments of the Zulu.