Music from Saramaka: A Dynamic Afro-American Tradition

Retreating to the inland forests of Suriname to escape harsh conditions on slave plantations, small communities were founded upon diverse African heritages and newly emerging cultural practices. The Saramaka, who eventually became one of the largest Maroon (runaway slave) groups of this area, have a musical repertoire that employs a multitude of languages, gourd instruments, hand pianos, and drums. In this collection of music recorded from 1967 to 1976 by Richard and Sally Price, the songs of the Saramaka people convey a narrative of struggle, determination, and cultural survival. Liner notes include musical analysis, lyrics and translations, and photographs of the artists and instruments.

Track Listing

101	Tree-Felling Songs: Matjáu baai	A Pikílío man	10:59
102	Adunké	Elderly woman	00:55
103	History in Song	A Saramakan elder	01:45
104	Bèntá: Apúku djómbo - The forest spirit jumps up	Pikílío Bèntá player	02:19
105	Bèntá: Djebikese kulé butá dí kándu - Djebikese runs to place the "protective charm"	Pikílío Bèntá player	02:33
106	Bèntá: Gádu tumáo - drumming for the forest spirits	Pikílío Bèntá player	02:11
107	Bèntá: Komantí tumáo - drumming for the komantí gods	Pikílío Bèntá player	01:10
201	Sĕkĕti Songs: Two songs of despair	Female singer with chorus	02:00
202	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Disaster, Love Song	Female singer with chorus	02:21
203	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Quarrel	Female singer with chorus	01:24
204	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Rejection	Male singer with chorus	01:19
205	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of Resignation	Same male singer with chorus	01:45
206	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song for a Maiden	Same male singer with chorus	01:40
207	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song about a Parrot	Ten-year-old boy	00:51
208	Sĕkĕti Songs: Song of a Foreign Land	A singer	00:54
209	The Flight of the Hummingbird	Drummers	01:57
210	Sĕkĕti drumming	Drummers	02:29
211	Drumming for Bandámmba	Drummers	01:19
212	Apínti: Talking drum	A drummer	04:22