A thousand-mile journey across East Africa in music, this album features an astonishing variety of drumming, instrumental, and vocal music, from the celebratory to the reflective, from Uganda, Kenya, and the Wagogo land in central Tanzania.
Originally released in 1975 as "Africa: Ceremonial & Folk Music" (H-72063)
In order to provide a historical context for this recording, the liner notes that accompanied its original release have been reprinted in full below. The text has not been edited to reflect changes in general cultural perceptions or specific factual information that may have occurred since then.
—Ed.
East from Zaire across Uganda and Karamoja into northern Kenya, through Turkana country to Lake Rudolf, into the Rift Valley past Lake Baringo, up over the green Highlands and down into the hot, dusty lowlands of the Masai and on, to the heart of Wagogo land in central Tanzania – here is that thousand-mile journey in music. Drumming, instrumental, and vocal music are represented here (if one is to categorize); astonishing in its variety, and often overpowering in its emotional strength, the music celebrates a whole way of life – cattle, warriors, elders, girlfriends, the self, hunting and raiding, the manyatta (homestead of the young Masai warriors), weddings, funerals, and children who cannot sleep.
- DAVID FANSHAWE, 1975
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Originally released in 1975 as Africa: Ceremonial and Folk Music (H-72063)
Recorded in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania by David Fanshawe
Coordinator: Theresa Sterne
Re-mastered by Robert C. Ludwig
Design by Doyle Partners
Cover Photography: © Guy Le Querrec / Magnum Photos
1969. Algiers. Pan-African Festival. Traditional troop of Kenya.
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