Gola Poro Society song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Gola Poro Society song accompanied by two small poro drums and one small kelei. The meaning of the song is "Your children are returning tomorrow (from the society) so let us receive them with happiness". The song takes antiphonal form between Cocockary Takar and the chorus. The song begins with the salutation "Are you ready?" - "We are ready" - "Then I will sing this song". Boys will start their training at the age of 8 and return from the Poro Bush to their villages at the age of 13. The Poro drums are wooden drums, the kelei is a hollow log with lengthwise slits. They are pictured in the photograph. The first Poro Drum measures 29" by 9". The second is 27" long (oval 10.5" - 14"). The Kelei measures 21.5" by 5.5", played using two 9" bamboo sticks.

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Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Gola Poro Society song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Gola
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1966.12.23
  • Associated Places: Tuasu, Makpele Chiefdom, Pujehun District [Place Recorded] [Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Bocockary Takar [Lead singer]; Vandi Salo [Drums]; Lansa Koroma [Drums]; Derah Seguah [Kelei]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:271

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