Mende song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. A Mende song accompanied by kelei, blikuti and wanjei. The song is translated as My good friend, if you disturb me I disturb you. My voice is poor but clear. When I sing my message goes up and down . The kelei is a hollow log or cane with length-wise slits; this one is beaten with two headless sticks. The blikuti is a two-skinned cylindrical drum played with a small stick on one skin and with the hand on the other. The wanjei are a pair of shakers somewhat similiar to maracas. The body is made up of two tin bowls placed face to face, with the edges nailed together. Measurements of kelei: length 18.5", diameter 4.5". Blikuti: length 14.5", skin diameter 15.5". Wanjei: height of body (measured around the curve) 7", length of handle 9".

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Further Information

  • Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
  • Object: Mende song
  • Materials: No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: No Data
  • Production Date: 1970.12.24
  • Associated Places: Pujehun, Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District [Place Recorded]
  • Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Chris Marshall [Sound Recordist]; Njei Koye [Lead singer and kelei]; James Coker [Blikuti]; L.P. Lappia [Wanhe]
  • Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
  • Accession Number: CVO:336

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