Mende political song

Ethnomusicological sound recording made by Cootje van Oven. Mende political song accompanied by four kogilii. The meaning of the song is "When somebody has lost an election he should not fight, so Siaka Stevens (formerly opposition leader, now Prime Minister) "should reign". The song is performed by an all male group (pictured in the photograph). The kogilii is a small metal cylinder (but not going right round) held in the hand and hit with a metal beater. The leading singer, who plays the longest kogilii, also hits it with a ring on his thumb. The other players and the additional singer make up the chorus. The lengths of the four kogilii are 6.5", 7.5" and nearly 10".

Further Information

• Type: Sound Recording, Musical instruments
• Object: Mende political song
• Materials: No Data / Other
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: No Data
• Production Date: 1970.12.27
• Associated Places: Giema, Dama Chiefdom, Kenema District [Place Recorded]
• Associated People: Cootje van Oven [Sound Recordist]; Chris Marshall [Sound Recordist]; Jolaha [Lead singer and kogilii player]; Siaka Sapha, Bockarie Luama and Momo Sato [Singers and kogilii players]; Mana Vandi [singer with no kogilii]
• Museum: Cootje Van Oven Collection
• Accession Number: CVO:363

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