Traditional Music of Botswana, Africa: A Journey with Tape Recorder along Southern Botswana from Mochudi to Kang

While traveling across Botswana in 1983, ethnomusicologist Elizabeth N. Wood captured music from Tswana–Sotho tribal descendants and Basarwa Bushmen, whose songs cover themes such as war, hunting, farming, school, and religion. Singing styles range from unison to harmony to call–and–response and are often accompanied by clapping and stomping, with an occasional whistle or drum. Instrumental tracks feature instruments such as the mbira (thumb piano) and lengope (mouth bow). Liner notes include a description of Botswana’s geography, ethnic groups, music, and dance. Lyrics and track notes are also included.

Track Listing

101	Oh, a Shoe, Oh, a Shoe Choir of school children, Letlhakeng, Botswana	00:48
102	I Am Happy Choir of school children, Letlhakeng, Botswana	00:35
103	I Am the Hare That Stays in the Road Group of Bakgatla children, Mochudi, Botswana	00:57
104	When They Are Playing Their Whistles, Praise (Ululate) Them Group of Bahurutshe children, Mmankgodi, Botswana	01:43
105	Drive Away the Birds! Group of Girl Guides, Molepolole, Botswana	01:15
106	I Have a Pain! Group of Girl Guides, Molepolole, Botswana	00:48
107	Yes! Yes! Oh! Oh! Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	02:01
108	At Home, It Rains Heavily Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	01:19
109	We Come from the Forest Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	02:03
110	The Rain, Hey, It Is Raining Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	01:27
111	Mrs. Modise Doesn't Want to Plough Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	00:44
112	The Fowl Are Eating the Sorghum Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	01:47
113	It Is in the Tall Grass, the Shy Porcupine Balete women, Gabane, Botswana	02:03
201	Let's Go to the River Small group of women, Mochudi, Botswana	01:14
202	Speak to Us Small group of women, Mochudi, Botswana	01:39
203	The Hills of Mourning Group of twenty men, Mochudi, Botswana	04:02
204	The Children of the Lion Have Been Called Up Group of twenty men, Mochudi, Botswana	02:38
205	Give Us the Signal to Fight Group of twenty men, Mochudi, Botswana	01:36
206	Basarwa Song (1) Group of twenty women, Tsetseng, Botswana	01:01
207	Basarwa Song (2) Group of twenty women, Tsetseng, Botswana	01:31
208	Basarwa Song (3) Group of twenty women, Tsetseng, Botswana	01:19
209	Basarwa Instrumental Selection: Lengope (Mouth Bow) Young Mosarwa woman, Kang, Botswana	00:47
210	Basarwa Instrumental Selection: Setinkane (Mbira) (1) Young Mosarwa man, Kang, Botswana	01:02
211	Basarwa Instrumental Selection: Setinkane (Mbira) (2) Young Mosarwa man, Kang, Botswana	00:41
212	Basarwa Instrumental Selection: Setinkane (Mbira) (3) Young Mosarwa woman, Kang, Botswana	01:40