Mende political song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Mende political song accompanied by four kogilii. The meaning of the song is: "When Siaka Stevens (former opposition leader, now Prime Minister) had won the election, the S.L.P.P (former government party) had not expected this and wanted to fight. But it is the ruling of God that Siaka should reign, so we all changed to the A.P.C. (present government party)". The kogilii is a small metal cylinder (but not going right round) held in the hand and hit with a metal beater . The leading singer, who plays the longest kogilii, also hits it with a ring on his thumb. In this piece, one of the players does this tightening and slackening twice as fast as one of his colleagues. The lengths of the four kogilii are 6.5", 7.5" and 9" and nearly 10".

Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Mende political song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1970.12.27
  • Associated Places: Giema, Dama Chiefdom, Kenema District [Place recorded] [Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Chris Marshall [Sound Recordist]; Jolaha [Lead singer and kogilii player]; Siaka Sapha, Bockarie Luama and Momo Sato [Singers and kogilii players]; Mana Vandi [Singer with no kogilii]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:365

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