Mende song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Mende song, accompanied by tomtom and a pair of wanjo, performed by an all male group. The song tells of a man called Faba whose way of marriage is very strong. The tomtom is a two-skinned wooden drum played with a small stick on one skin and with the hand on the other. The wango are a pair of shakers somewhat similar to maracas. The body is made up of two tin bowls placed face to face, with the edges nailed together. Measurements of tomtom: height of drum 15", diameter of drumskin 17". Wanjo: height of body 5", length of handle 5.5".

Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Mende song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1966.12.20
  • Associated Places: Sahn, Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District [Place Recorded]; Basarli Town, Pujehun District [Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Morison [Leading Singer]; Kandaman [Tomtom]; Abu Sano [Wanjo player]; Sapha Momon, Munda Siamai, Buakai Saido and Bockarie Faba [Chorus]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:223

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