Vai song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Vai parable song accompanied by three shegbureh, one small drum and one bass drum. The meaning of the song is: "You should listen to the kongoma for it is a very fine instrument". The shegbureh measure 18", 14" and 15.5" respectively. Initially the small drum has short motifs, this then subsides into a steady accompaniment using skin and rib strokes. The bass drum has a steady persistent pulse. The kongoma is sometimes present in this song when it is available. The drums can be seen in the photograph. The shegbureh, apparently is 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 the desired rattle of the beads or buttons against the gourd.

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Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Vai song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Vai
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1966.12.22
  • Associated Places: Fairo, Soro-Gbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District [Place Recorded] [Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Bryma Korbai [Drums]; Kala Galaba [Shegbureh]; Sumbo Zoka [Shegbureh]; Mama Massia [Shegbureh]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:268

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