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The Topoke People of the Congo

Various Artists
The Topoke People of the Congo Released in 1959, this recording features the music of the Topoke, who live in the equatorial forest in the Tshopo District of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Topoke remained relatively isolated until the 1930s, and music and dance play an important role in their culture. Many of their instruments are made out of local raw materials, including the lukembi and bamboo drums. Among the varied functions of their music is announcing a death in the village, signaling, and accompanying forms of work, dance, and children’s play. The liner notes include background information about the Topoke and information about each song, with photos of the different instruments played.

Track Listing

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101
Topoke women and girls presenting newborn child to village
04:44
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102
Man playing likembe
01:59
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103
Men clearing the forest for planting
02:45
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104
Topoke women and girls
02:09
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105
Topoke women and girls
01:57
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106
Topoke women and girls accompanied by slit-log drums
04:10
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107
Topoke man singing while cutting palm fruits
01:43
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201
Topoke children making animal calls for hunting
01:49
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202
Topoke drummers
01:08
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203
Topoke women in mourning ritual
01:16
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204
Topoke men signalling with drum, voice, horn
05:17
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205
Topoke girls playing lilolo gourds
01:33
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206
Two Topoke men playing musical bow
01:54
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207
Topoke man singing and playing zither
02:01