Gola Poro Society song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Gola Poro Society song accompanied by two small poro drums and one small kelei. The song is intended "To inform the parents of the boys who have gone to the Poro Society that they will be returning tomorrow after their five years in the bush". The song begins with a salutation to chorus: "Are you ready?" - "We are ready" - "Then I will sing this song". Byrma then leads the chorus round in a circle then joins the instrumentalists. They sing this song as the boys near the village. 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; this one has metal ends, as 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.

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Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Gola Poro Society 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]; Bryma Korbai [Lead singer]; Vandi Salo [Drums]; Lansa Koroma [Drums]; Derah Seguah [Kelei]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:270

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