Sherbro praise song for Chief

Ethnomusicological recording made by Cootje van Oven. Sherbro song, accompanied by three shegbureh. The shegbureh, apparently always played by women is a stalked gourd surrounded by a network of beads or buttons (occasionally shells) on strings. The end of the strings is held in one hand, the stalk of the gourd in the other. Rhythmic movements of the gourd produce desired rattle of the beads or buttons against the gourd. Measurement of first shegbureh: height of gourd measured around the curve 10", length of stalk 4". Corresponding measurements of second shegbureh 9" and 6", and of third 7.5" and 4.5". The all-female performers can be seen in the photograph.

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Further Information

• Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
• Object: Sherbro praise song for Chief
• Materials: No Data / Other
• Culture Group: Sherbro
• Dimensions: No Data
• Production Date: 1966.12.17
• Associated Places: Shenge, Kagboro Chiefdom, Moyamba District [Place Recorded]
• Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Koni Way [Leading Singer and Shegbureh]; Bue Chillan and Sofie [Shegbureh players]
• Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
• Accession Number: CVO:216

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