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Africa South of the Sahara

Various Artists
Africa South of the Sahara

This 1957 compilation attempts to provide a musical overview of the entire Sub–Saharan region, and also represents the scholarly contribution of American ethnomusicologist Alan P. Merriam (1923 — 1980) to the Folkways catalog. Merriam, who is best remembered for the book The Anthropology of Music, produced the album and provided an essay and track notes. This title went a long way towards dispelling prejudices and misconceptions listeners of the time may have had about African music. Merriam wrote, “The African music system works by its own rules and satisfies those who play it and sing it; it is neither necessarily older nor younger nor better nor worse.”

RELATED LESSON PLANS
"Music of 'The Seventh Continent'"
"The Complete Evolution of Trinidadian Pan Music…Abridged."

Track Listing

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101
Zulu Song n/a 02:10
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102
Swazi Song n/a 02:14
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103
Chopi Timbila Orchestra n/a 01:03
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104
Amakwavi Song n/a 00:43
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105
Bushmen Song n/a 01:22
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106
Bushmen Song n/a 02:15
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107
Bechuana Song n/a 01:02
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108
Bechuana Song n/a 01:07
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109
Bechuana Song n/a 00:34
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110
Luchosi Song n/a 01:07
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111
Gangele Song n/a 01:25
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112
Tutsi Song n/a 03:29
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113
Tutsi Drums n/a 02:29
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114
Twa Chorus n/a 03:22
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115
Hororo Flute n/a 01:29
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116
Shi Kasayi (Sansa) n/a 02:57
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117
Kivu Bambuti Chorus with drums n/a 02:45
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118
Bambuti (Pygmy) Song n/a 01:08
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119
Bambuti Songs n/a 01:24
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120
Bambuti (Pygmy) Song n/a 01:05
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121
Pende Xylophone n/a 02:45
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122
Pindi Sansa with voice n/a 01:08
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123
Sudanese Harp with voices n/a 02:28
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124
Sudanese Song with drums n/a 02:49
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125
Mahafaly Song n/a 02:28
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126
Ibani Sansa & Horas n/a 02:42
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127
Yoruba Chorus & mixed orchestra n/a 03:00
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128
Bulu Chorus n/a 01:56
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129
Ewe Chorus with drum, rattle, gong n/a 02:37
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130
Bambara Minstrels n/a 02:18
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131
Acoli Voice & Lute n/a 03:02
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132
Mboko Zither-Harp n/a 01:33
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133
Bakwiri Song with musical bow n/a 01:05
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134
Makwa Female Chorus n/a 01:43
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135
Boungomo Chorus with drums n/a 03:30
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136
Babinga (Pygmy) Voices with stick percussion n/a 01:48
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137
Wolof Drums n/a 01:32
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138
Wolof Halam n/a 03:15