Gola song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Gola song accompanied by two small poro drums and one small kelei. This reception song and dance is performed in the morning of the day in which the boys return from the Poro Society. The meaning of the song is "The boy is crying - calling the mother to her son". The song takes antiphonal form between the solo singer 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.

Related Videos

Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Gola 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]; Vande Salo [Drums]; Lansa Koroma [Drums]; Derah Seguah [Kelei]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:272

Related Objects

Gola Poro Society reception song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Gola song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Gola song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Gola Poro dance

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Mende song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments