Baka Music House Part 1

Building a music house in the Cameroon rainforest with some Baka Pygmies. Part 1 is the building of the first, traditional styled "mongolu" music house. Shows life with the Baka in the rainforest.
Narated by Andy Kershaw.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• baka
• rainforest
• spirit dance
• pygmies
• global music exchange
• Pygmy Peoples
• Dancing

[NikMikas]

Also remember to have faith in the innovation of the people, though it does hurt when the Yelli at the beginning turns into a guitar playing I-IV-V-I ......

[bakabeyond]

When I first visited these people 18 years ago with my guitar these were the songs that Mbeh, a Baka, played.

They live near the border with Congo, and they would hear Soukous, Rhumba and Makossa on the radio. hence the I-IV-V-I

The blues came from there. Who are we to say that that chord structure came from us?

Personally I think its brilliant that they can get so into guitar music, whilst their traditional music is still getting stronger. The youngsters are still learning their traditions.

[JEROMEDESIGAUD]

Guitars mean progress to them, but the musical intervals are not the same as those used when they sing or play mouthbow. They play only melodies on the guitar, so fretless guitar would fit them perfectly. So they can tune it as they want. Fretted guitar imposes equal temperament. Since thousands of years they transmit pure tones and in two generations this could be broken only because of inadapted instruments. Presents means care for people, so why not giving them what fits them?

[bakabeyond]

Very interesting thoughts.

Send us some fretless guitars and I'll happily get them to the Baka musicians. In the meantime they make their own choices with what is available to them.

Act with a negative heart and beware of the consequences

To not act because you are afraid of the consequences leads to oblivion

Act with a positive heart and the consequences take care of themselves

[JEROMEDESIGAUD]

thankyou for sharing this, glad to see such an ambiance. But I'm sad to hear and see those guitar played by these people. They have a very rich musical culture and guitar doesn't fit with their musical scales, which are soooo beautiful and soooo precise. I think that as it has been done everywhere equal temperament will "kill" the typical Baka musical scales. It would be a great loss for humanity.

[bakabeyond]

Since leaving guitars with the Baka their status has improved dramatically. Now even more of the youngsters are making and playing traditional instruments such as ngombi and ieta.

It is not for us to dictate what they should do. They see TVs, motor bikes and want them.

Without their forest the traditional music will die.

With higher profile they are more secure with their land rights.

Through their guitar they have a voice.

Their traditional music is not threatened by guitars, but strengthened

[johniwuji]

really hapy people

[JEROMEDESIGAUD]

okay, I can send one fretless guitar. Where to send it? Who are you? when will they get it?

For sure they will make their choice...

[BerriTonic]

I love this sooo much...how can you watch and listen without feeling warm inside? I have the biggest smile on my face...

[franllo]

¬¬

sabias de las cosas dode mas se gasta energia es en internet basura

como las cadenas

dejense de mam.......