Mende song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Mende song, accompanied by a European-style side drum and bass drum, which can be seen in the photograph. The meaning of the song is "My mother-in-law has pulled the cloth from my waist, so we shall charge her for damages". The side drum is played with two sticks like a European one, the bass drum with a soft-headed stick on one skin and with the hand on the other skin. Note the position in which the bass drum is held.

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] [Origin of item]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Herb Clark [Sound Recordist]; Jinna Kumba [Leading Singer, female]; Sapha Vandi [Side Drum]; Alien Labai [Bass Drum]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:235

Related Objects

Mende dance song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Mende song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Mende song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Tuning of two kongoma

Sound Recording, Musical instruments

Mende song

Sound Recording, Musical instruments