Archive for the ‘Sound Clips’ Category
Rob was in Dogon Country again recently, running a song-writing workshop. Following this research visit in 2010, I was back in the fascinating clifftop town of Sangha, many miles from home. Here’s what Sangha looks like: The four-day workshop brought together musicians from all over Dogon Country (cliff and plain-dwellers) to work together on new Bible-based songs. The first three were based on parables, the second three were specifically for the Dogon Bible Dedication, sheduled for 2012. Here are the Dogon Musicians rehearsing one of their songs (with great joy and energy!) On the last day, we found a secluded valley (between the rocks) and I recorded all the new songs, as well as a few older ones. It was great to see them use so many of their traditional instruments in the songs, some of which are still rarely used in church. Here they are: It is interesting to note that the square boina was introduced in the 1960s by missionaries because round-headed Dogon drums were still deemed ‘evil’. Somehow having four corners removed its ‘evilness’. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then and the Dogon are happy to use a range of instruments to worship God. Have a listen to some of the new songs: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. A bi-product (and highlight) of the trip was also being able to interview and record an old Dogon man, who knew many traditional folk songs from years gone by. Here he is singing one of the songs for me – amazing musicality for an old bloke! Here are some short audio clips of some of the other songs: (i) A song in honour of his mother, saying how nice her breast milk tastes, (ii) A song saying “Whoever you are, you can do nothing in the face of death” and (iii) A song saying: “No Dogon woman is complete without her indigo cloth”. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. More photos of the trip on Facebook – click here.
Here (finally) is the report of the workshop I ran in Dassa in August, with the Ifè and Idaasha people groups. The Ifè are from Togo and traveled over to Benin for the workshop. Here are the Ifè participants (+ one white face!):
The Isaasha participants, however, were all from close by, and many walked to the workshop! The two people groups have quite a lot in common in terms of culture – their languages are in the same family and (we discovered) they share several song genres. Day 1 As I had transport problems at the time, I traveled up to Dassa by taxi (only 3 hours’ drive from Cotonou), leaving at around 5:45am to get there on time to start (and with one daughter, 2 nieces and a brother-in-law traveling with me!) So, straight into the work on genres by around (9:30). Here are the genres we noted. Firstly, genres found in both Ifè and Idaasha: Agbaja…………………………………………………………………………for rejoicing Gɛ̀lɛ̀dɛ̅………………………………………………………………………for rejoicing Akpokpo (also known as Ogu in Idaasha)………………………………used when hunting GudugbaÌ (also known as Akoto in Ifè)………………………………….for parties and rejoicing ShikpoÌ€ (AjikpoÌ€ in Ifè)…………………………………………………….for rejoicing (also the same as the Isikpe of the Aja people) ƆwÉ”Ì-kpipka (ƆwÉ”Ì-OtsuÌ€kpaÌ in Ifè)……………………………………..sung in the moonlight Other Idaasha genres include: GumbeÌ…………………………………………………..……………………………..for parties/rejoicing AbeÌreleÌ……………………………………………..…………………….…………..for rejoicing in church Agbojalogan………………………………………..…………………….…………for mourning/funeral parties Golù……………………………………………..………………………………..…for mourning/funeral parties BoluÌ€ (or Obi)…………………………………………………………….………for parties at church Ajogbagbeya………………………………………………………….………..for parties Asha………………………………..…………………………………….………..for praising kings Other IfeÌ€ genres include: Atrukpe……………………………………………………………………..….for mourning Here I am leading a discussion on song genres:
We discussed which of these genres were already used in church, which could be used and which ones it was best not to use (at least for the time being). Then onto composing, in 6 groups (3 Ifè, 3 Idaasha). First I present the verses – we start with 3 parables: The Sower, The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. These work well, as story telling is a big part of African culture, and the settings of these stories are, in many ways closer to African experience than western. All back together just before lunch to share the songs composed and suggest improvements etc. Then onto 3 passages from Hebrews – chosen by the IfeÌ€, on the subject of sacrifice (an important part of their culture). Here’s part of the Good Samaritan song composed by the Ifè, using the Gudugba song genre (with some fab drone singing). Have a listen: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Day 2 More composing first thing, then presentation of the Hebrews songs. Lois, Alison and the others arrive mid-morning (thankfully, Lois has brought some more headphones for me, as the others gave out yesterday and I’d been using some ‘in the ear’ ones from Rachel’s IPod!) After lunch, I set up my equipment and we start recording. It begins to rain a tad but, thankfully, not too much, so we continue and get 7 of the 12 songs in the can. Here I am recording (NB can you spot Lois in the background too?):
The last 3 verses are then given out (2 Cor 5:17, Coll 2:6-7 and Galatians 5:22-26), all on the subject of Christian growth and living. Day 3 Finishing off compositions, then start recording by 11:00am. Today, it’s much more rainy, so we set up under a paillotte (straw gazebo) with only the percussionists outside. Here are some folks warming up under the paillotte – notice the large gourd, or calabash, being used as a drum here:
Here’s an extract from the Idaasha composition on 2 Corinthians 5:17 (about being a new creation). It’s in the Abérelé song genre and has some neat cow bell playing (which Gary Wood especially enjoyed): Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. All recorded by 5:30pm, when my taxi arrives to take us back. Altogether, 18 songs have been recorded, which will form 2 albums. Phew! We all stay the night at the Auberge in Dassa (aka my second home!) then pile into a 9-seater taxi and head back to Cotonou the next day! Thanks to the Wood family for coming along, and to Gary for taking all the photos you’ve just looked at!
Last night’s veillée continued until the early hours. The ‘service’ part ended around 11:00pm, then some folk left and others sat around in small groups up and down the road, chatting. The live band stopped at this point, and was replaced by canned music – Catholic chant sort of stuff, of a vaguely Taizé-esque nature. This music continued until about 4:00am. Then, at 6:00am, we woke with a start as a brass band was playing outside our door!!! The herse was here and the band was heralding its arrival (couldn’t it have arrived late like many things here do?!?) Interesting music, though, of Cuban influence, I’m told (a throw back to Benin’s communist days). There were renditions of ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’, ‘Nearer my God to thee’ and other similar tunes. (NB I was hoping to add YouTube video of this, but dial-up internet too slow at the moment!) Music of various kinds continued all day, and the brass band returned early evening. Here’s what they sounded like: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Whilst I realize it is a privilege to be so closely associated with the riches of African culture, I’d feel better with a few more hours undisturbed kip! Not to worry – after all T.I.A. Click here for a personal message from the Baker family:
On Thursday evening, Rob recorded nine new Fon songs performed by one of the ADC churches in Cotonou. Here are some of the choir. …and here’s what they sound like: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Being an urban setting, the challenges were different from the previous recording; firstly, the church was very echo-ey, which was difficult to overcome. Then there was the big lorry next door, which the guys were trying to start. Thankfully, they agreed to wait a couple of hours before recommencing the whirring! Finally, the church is almost directly under the flight-path for planes landing, so we have a loud roar in the middle of one song, which will need to be edited out! Fun and games! One interesting instrument this group uses is a series of about 6 cow bells mounted on a frame – listen carefully and you can hear the repeated sequence played through the piece. Sorry, no photo of that yet, but will try and get one another time. Other News… The whole of Cotonou seems to have gone WORLD CUP CRAZY!!! Almost every restaurant has a TV with matches on and groups of people gathered round cheering. The recent Ghana-Czech Republic match was very popular – we even heard cheers from our house! Remember the After Eight Challenge… The other day, our friends Gaby and Honore came for dinner. After the meal (and watching the Germany-Poland match) we opened the AFTER EIGHTS. Yes, you can get them in Cotonou, but these were special Lemon Sorbet ones, which were a bit wierd, but nice (and they were reduced in the shop!) Well, those who know Rob will know what’s coming next. I couldn’t let the oportunity pass without teaching our Beninese friend the After Eight Challenge!!! Here’s how it works: 1. Take an After Eight (any type, but not too melted) Sounds easy??? Have a go! If you lean too far forwards (or nod too vigorously) it will fall off. If you don’t move enough, it’s going nowhere! If you have a long tongue it helps! Here I am showing him how it’s done: …and here’s Honore having a go (he gave his permission to put this on the site, by the way):
He said we should get white chocolate ones for him next time, to improve visibility! Finally, do you like the shirt above? Well, here’s the full outfit:
I got the ‘musical’ material from ‘Dantokpa’ Market (largest market in West Africa) and had it made into an outfit. I’m tempted to wear it when I arrive at Heathrow, but – then again – I might get locked up if I do! What d’you think? Should I wear it or not? Let us know – if I get more than 80% affirmative responses, I’ll do it!!! Bye for now, Thanks for visiting – do leave us a comment! Rob
Yes, it looks like I’ve finally figured out how to add audio files to the blog. Here’s the Kodjaxwe choir singing a song based on Acts 9:32-35 (sorry it’s a bit short – now I know the ropes, I may be more daring next time and put on a longer extract!): Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Keep visiting, and I’ll add some more exciting sounds in due course! |
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(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
