Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases three videos of Malawian singer Skeffa Chimoto.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Skeffa Chimoto for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SKEFFA CHIMOTO
From https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/skeffa-chimoto Profile added by Ano Shumba on 12 Mar 2015
"Skeffa Chimoto is a musician from Malawi who stormed the country's music scene in 2003. His fans call him The Jamming Machine. He is the leader of Real Sounds band. He hogged the limelight with his sophomore album ‘Nabola Moyo’. He also did well when he featured on Dalisoul’s song called ‘One Day’.
He has to date released five albums. Some of the albums are 'Tisawanyoze', 'Ndife Amodzi' 'Chikondi' and 'Wekha Nabola Moyo'. Songs from his albums include ‘Dalitsani Okondedwa,’ ‘Neneleni,’ ‘Chinamuluma Chakuda,’ and ‘Ndilandireni.’ Skeffa Chimoto.
In 2015, the Malawian Watchdog Life Style Team conducted a survey which showed that Chimoto is Malawi’s most loved Musician in Zambia. He was also awarded a certificate of recognition in the Protect The Goal Campaign following his advocacy through music."....
-snip-
Click https://mwnation.com/skeffas-rise-and-rise/ for a more detailed biographical article about Skeffa Chimoto.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Skeffa Chimoto - Umutenge
LuciusBandaTV, Published on Nov 20, 2012
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Dave Mwila, 2014
"This song reminds me of Chipata. The language used is cheba, very homely. Wonderful song!"
****
Example #2: Skeffa Chimoto - Ndakusowa
LuciusBandaTV, Published on Nov 20, 2012
****
Example #3: Skeffa Chimoto Full Hundred
Malawi Wathu, Published on Dec 10, 2017
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Malawian music and dance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malawian music and dance. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Two Malawian Versions Of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" & Five Additional Videos About Christmas In Malawi, Southeastern Africa
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams provides some information about Malawi, Southeastern Africa and showcases two videos of Malawian versions of "Twelve Days Of Christmas".
Five additional videos of Christmas in Malawi are also featured in this post.
This is Part III of an ongoing pancocojams series on "Christmas in Africa". Click that tag for more posts in this series.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi ..., officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 18,091,575 (as at July 2016). Lake Malawi takes up about a third of Malawi's area.[10] Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre, the third is Mzuzu and the fourth largest is its old capital Zomba. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area.
[...]
Demographics
Malawi has a population of over 18 million, with a growth rate of 3.32%, according to 2016 estimates.[3][79] The population is forecast to grow to over 45 million people by 2050, nearly tripling the estimated 16 million in 2010.18,091,575 is Malawi's estimated 2016 population based on most recent estimates.[80]
Malawi's population is made up of the Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde native ethnic groups, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans. The official language is English.[2] Major languages include Chichewa, a language spoken by over 57% of the population, Chinyanja (12.8%), Chiyao (10.1%), and Chitumbuka (9.5%).[35] Other native languages are Malawian Lomwe, spoken by around 250,000 in the southeast of the country; Kokola, spoken by around 200,000 people also in the southeast; Lambya, spoken by around 45,000 in the northwestern tip; Ndali, spoken by around 70,000; Nyakyusa-Ngonde, spoken by around 300,000 in northern Malawi; Malawian Sena, spoken by around 270,000 in southern Malawi; and Tonga, spoken by around 170,000 in the north."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS: TWO MALAWIAN VERSIONS OF "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
Video #1: Children sing the 12 days of Christmas - African style!
Ganet's Adventure School, Published on Nov 26, 2011
Please help the children of Ganet's Adventure School in Malawi spread Christmas cheer around the world by sharing this, their Christmas video. We reckon it would get Scrooge himself into the Christmas spirit!
The kids practised for a week, having to learn the song from scratch. The teachers worked hard with a volunteer from the US to adapt the carol, develop actions, teach it to the children and record the performance. Thanks go to Jean Ni for filming the dance.
[...]
Ganet's Adventure School, Malawi
The school was founded by its Malawian director, Gertrude Banda, in a village in northern Malawi, and teaches primary and nursery age children. It receives no government funding, and relies on support from around the world to keep it running.
Keep up to date with school news at www.facebook.com/ganetsadventureschool
Now it's your turn!
Here are the lyrics for the song. Why not learn them and have a go yourself? We'd love to see videos of other schools and choirs performing our song!
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve farmers ploughing
Eleven boats a-fishing
Ten hyenas howling
Nine goats a-crying
Eight roosters calling
Seven pigs a-squealing
Six children dancing
Five beating drums
Four butterfish (the beautiful Lake Malawi is only a few miles from the school)
Three nsima pots (nsima is a traditional Malawian food made from maize)
Two cassava plants
And a giant baobab tree (baobab trees are common in Malawi, and are a famous symbol of Africa)
[...]
Find out more about the school and how you can get involved: www.ganetsadventureschool.org
Thanks to FremantleMedia Enterprises for supporting the video and donating to Ganet's Adventure School Fund.
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. HIROSTAR82, 2015
"Lol why did they change the words?It makes it even harder for them to make up new words"
**
REPLY
2. Ganet's Adventure School, 2015
"@HIROSTAR82 People in Malawi get a bit tired of singing Christmas songs about snowmen and Christmas trees when they never get any snow and don't have pine trees, so we thought it would be more fun to make up our own lyrics!"
****
Video #2: Twelve Days of Christmas - RIPPLE Africa - Christmas Carol
rippleafrica, Published on Nov 14, 2012
... A Christmas Carol - The Twelve (12) days of Christmas - Malawi style. This is a really fun video filmed by RIPPLE Africa with local Malawian staff and local characters. It is sure to make you smile
-snip-
Here's the lyrics for this version taken from the screen captions:
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A bottle of Kuche Kuche
two chambo fish
Three mangos
Four changu motos [sometimes “four matola men"]
Five nsimas cooking
six men a- fishing
seven tailors trimming
eight farmers farming
nine children swimming
ten choirs singing
eleven ladies dancing
twelve drummers drumming
-snip-
Here are Explanations for the Malawian references in this song:
"Kuche Kuche" is a Malawian brand of beer.
**
"Chambo fish"- a species of fish in Malawi
**
"Changu changu motos" are fuel efficient clay stoves ("changu changu moto" = "fast fast fire". These clay stoves help prevent deforestation in Malawi. https://www.fromwales.com/changu-changu-moto
"Matola" are private vehicles used to transport people in Malawi. "Matola men" likely means the men who drive those cars.
**
"Nsima" is a traditional Malawian food made from maize
****
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
IDK, 2012
"Zikomo. The world is a better place because of people like you, thank you for feeding the children and thank you for posting."
-snip-
According to http://malawi.tripod.com/chichewa.html "MALAWI - Learn Chichewa", zikomo is a Chichewa word that means "thank you".
****
OTHER VIDEOS ABOUT CHRISTMAS IN MALAWI
Video #1: Christmas in Malawi 2011
Monica Gonzalez, Published on Dec 22, 2011
December 14, 2011 - Today was the day of the event. On our way to the stadium, it was stunning on how many children were walking from long distances just to get there. By 8 I would say the stadium was a bit more than ½ full and the children were in uniform and seated according their schools. A total of 19 public and 3 private schools attended the activity. Glory to God the event went as He planned and not by our own will. We were short of staff, but we managed to get thing under control with the help of some teachers. The highlight of the day was the Jesus formation by 5 different schools in different school uniform. After the formation the whole stadium shouted JESUS three times. The evangelist taught the Children the song "My hands are blessed with the blessings of the Lord". Take note that most of the 20,000 Children have never eaten bread , peanut butter or tasted honey before. We were informed that AMFC has just introduced a new diet to the Children and to Malawi. All the Children and the adults loved it. Out of all those kids we praise God there was no allergic reaction to the peanut butter. A couple of the schools participated in the event with plays and presentations. All the children received a cup, sandwich, and a bag from AMFC. We prayed for no rain and there was NO rain while dark clouds and rain was all around us except for the stadium. When it was time to leave, there were two rainbows, in which I know it was a sign from God letting us know He was pleased.
****
Video #2: Children singing Christmas song in Malawi
Ganet's Adventure School, Published on Dec 22, 2013
This video shows the children of Ganet's Adventure School, Malawi, performing a Christmas song. They are led by Gertrude Banda, the school's founder, director and choir leader!
****
Video #3: A very special Christmas message from Malawi
Ian Spooner, Published on Dec 17, 2015
We’d like to say a big thank you for supporting One this year. With your help we have reached another life-changing milestone: raising £13 million for sustainable water projects, giving the gift of clean, safe water to over 3 million people in the worlds poorest communities.
To celebrate and say thank you, we have a very special Christmas message from some of the communities we’ve supported in Malawi. Please spread the joy by sharing and retweeting it with your friends.
Thank you and a very merry Christmas from everyone at One.
****
Video #4: We Wish You A Merry Christmas - From Esther's House in Malawi Africa
Mission Field Media, Published on Dec 24, 2016
The kids at Esther's House in Malawi Africa sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams provides some information about Malawi, Southeastern Africa and showcases two videos of Malawian versions of "Twelve Days Of Christmas".
Five additional videos of Christmas in Malawi are also featured in this post.
This is Part III of an ongoing pancocojams series on "Christmas in Africa". Click that tag for more posts in this series.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi ..., officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 18,091,575 (as at July 2016). Lake Malawi takes up about a third of Malawi's area.[10] Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre, the third is Mzuzu and the fourth largest is its old capital Zomba. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area.
[...]
Demographics
Malawi has a population of over 18 million, with a growth rate of 3.32%, according to 2016 estimates.[3][79] The population is forecast to grow to over 45 million people by 2050, nearly tripling the estimated 16 million in 2010.18,091,575 is Malawi's estimated 2016 population based on most recent estimates.[80]
Malawi's population is made up of the Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde native ethnic groups, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans. The official language is English.[2] Major languages include Chichewa, a language spoken by over 57% of the population, Chinyanja (12.8%), Chiyao (10.1%), and Chitumbuka (9.5%).[35] Other native languages are Malawian Lomwe, spoken by around 250,000 in the southeast of the country; Kokola, spoken by around 200,000 people also in the southeast; Lambya, spoken by around 45,000 in the northwestern tip; Ndali, spoken by around 70,000; Nyakyusa-Ngonde, spoken by around 300,000 in northern Malawi; Malawian Sena, spoken by around 270,000 in southern Malawi; and Tonga, spoken by around 170,000 in the north."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS: TWO MALAWIAN VERSIONS OF "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"
Video #1: Children sing the 12 days of Christmas - African style!
Ganet's Adventure School, Published on Nov 26, 2011
Please help the children of Ganet's Adventure School in Malawi spread Christmas cheer around the world by sharing this, their Christmas video. We reckon it would get Scrooge himself into the Christmas spirit!
The kids practised for a week, having to learn the song from scratch. The teachers worked hard with a volunteer from the US to adapt the carol, develop actions, teach it to the children and record the performance. Thanks go to Jean Ni for filming the dance.
[...]
Ganet's Adventure School, Malawi
The school was founded by its Malawian director, Gertrude Banda, in a village in northern Malawi, and teaches primary and nursery age children. It receives no government funding, and relies on support from around the world to keep it running.
Keep up to date with school news at www.facebook.com/ganetsadventureschool
Now it's your turn!
Here are the lyrics for the song. Why not learn them and have a go yourself? We'd love to see videos of other schools and choirs performing our song!
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve farmers ploughing
Eleven boats a-fishing
Ten hyenas howling
Nine goats a-crying
Eight roosters calling
Seven pigs a-squealing
Six children dancing
Five beating drums
Four butterfish (the beautiful Lake Malawi is only a few miles from the school)
Three nsima pots (nsima is a traditional Malawian food made from maize)
Two cassava plants
And a giant baobab tree (baobab trees are common in Malawi, and are a famous symbol of Africa)
[...]
Find out more about the school and how you can get involved: www.ganetsadventureschool.org
Thanks to FremantleMedia Enterprises for supporting the video and donating to Ganet's Adventure School Fund.
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. HIROSTAR82, 2015
"Lol why did they change the words?It makes it even harder for them to make up new words"
**
REPLY
2. Ganet's Adventure School, 2015
"@HIROSTAR82 People in Malawi get a bit tired of singing Christmas songs about snowmen and Christmas trees when they never get any snow and don't have pine trees, so we thought it would be more fun to make up our own lyrics!"
****
Video #2: Twelve Days of Christmas - RIPPLE Africa - Christmas Carol
rippleafrica, Published on Nov 14, 2012
... A Christmas Carol - The Twelve (12) days of Christmas - Malawi style. This is a really fun video filmed by RIPPLE Africa with local Malawian staff and local characters. It is sure to make you smile
-snip-
Here's the lyrics for this version taken from the screen captions:
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A bottle of Kuche Kuche
two chambo fish
Three mangos
Four changu motos [sometimes “four matola men"]
Five nsimas cooking
six men a- fishing
seven tailors trimming
eight farmers farming
nine children swimming
ten choirs singing
eleven ladies dancing
twelve drummers drumming
-snip-
Here are Explanations for the Malawian references in this song:
"Kuche Kuche" is a Malawian brand of beer.
**
"Chambo fish"- a species of fish in Malawi
**
"Changu changu motos" are fuel efficient clay stoves ("changu changu moto" = "fast fast fire". These clay stoves help prevent deforestation in Malawi. https://www.fromwales.com/changu-changu-moto
"Matola" are private vehicles used to transport people in Malawi. "Matola men" likely means the men who drive those cars.
**
"Nsima" is a traditional Malawian food made from maize
****
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
IDK, 2012
"Zikomo. The world is a better place because of people like you, thank you for feeding the children and thank you for posting."
-snip-
According to http://malawi.tripod.com/chichewa.html "MALAWI - Learn Chichewa", zikomo is a Chichewa word that means "thank you".
****
OTHER VIDEOS ABOUT CHRISTMAS IN MALAWI
Video #1: Christmas in Malawi 2011
Monica Gonzalez, Published on Dec 22, 2011
December 14, 2011 - Today was the day of the event. On our way to the stadium, it was stunning on how many children were walking from long distances just to get there. By 8 I would say the stadium was a bit more than ½ full and the children were in uniform and seated according their schools. A total of 19 public and 3 private schools attended the activity. Glory to God the event went as He planned and not by our own will. We were short of staff, but we managed to get thing under control with the help of some teachers. The highlight of the day was the Jesus formation by 5 different schools in different school uniform. After the formation the whole stadium shouted JESUS three times. The evangelist taught the Children the song "My hands are blessed with the blessings of the Lord". Take note that most of the 20,000 Children have never eaten bread , peanut butter or tasted honey before. We were informed that AMFC has just introduced a new diet to the Children and to Malawi. All the Children and the adults loved it. Out of all those kids we praise God there was no allergic reaction to the peanut butter. A couple of the schools participated in the event with plays and presentations. All the children received a cup, sandwich, and a bag from AMFC. We prayed for no rain and there was NO rain while dark clouds and rain was all around us except for the stadium. When it was time to leave, there were two rainbows, in which I know it was a sign from God letting us know He was pleased.
****
Video #2: Children singing Christmas song in Malawi
Ganet's Adventure School, Published on Dec 22, 2013
This video shows the children of Ganet's Adventure School, Malawi, performing a Christmas song. They are led by Gertrude Banda, the school's founder, director and choir leader!
****
Video #3: A very special Christmas message from Malawi
Ian Spooner, Published on Dec 17, 2015
We’d like to say a big thank you for supporting One this year. With your help we have reached another life-changing milestone: raising £13 million for sustainable water projects, giving the gift of clean, safe water to over 3 million people in the worlds poorest communities.
To celebrate and say thank you, we have a very special Christmas message from some of the communities we’ve supported in Malawi. Please spread the joy by sharing and retweeting it with your friends.
Thank you and a very merry Christmas from everyone at One.
****
Video #4: We Wish You A Merry Christmas - From Esther's House in Malawi Africa
Mission Field Media, Published on Dec 24, 2016
The kids at Esther's House in Malawi Africa sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Malawi's Malipenga (Mganda) Dance (information, videos, & comments)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents information & comments about Malawi's Malipenga (Mganda) dance. Videos of these dances are also included in this post.
The Addendum to this post showcases a video of the Chilimika dance. That dance is a female form of the Malipenga.
Malawi is located in southeast Africa.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyright remains with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in videos shown in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALIPENGA
From http://www.sdnp.org.mw/dance-troupe/dance.html
"Malipenga is a modern dance for men. It is believed that it was started by ex-servicemen who developed it from the military parades of the old Kings African Rifles.
Malipenga started in Nkhata Bay District and spread all over the Northern Region of Malawi. In the Central Region, Mganda, which is a varient of Malipenga is performed in Kasungu, Nkhota kota, Salima, Ntchisi, Dowa and Lilongwe Districts.
A Malipenga group is known as a'Boma'. Each 'Boma' has its own administrative structure. The success of the Boma is the pride of the whole village. The dance is performed for the entertainment on various occasions."
****
From http://malawiproject.org/malawi-dances-the-mganda/ Wilson Tembo February 3, 2013
"The Mganda
Like other dances, Mganda is common among the Chewa tribe of central Malawi. This is probably the second most popular dance after Gule wa Mkulu (Big dance) among the Chewa. It is practiced mostly in such districts as Dowa, Lilongwe, Ntchisi, Dedza and Kasungu, and is primarily an entertainment dance performed during wedding ceremonies. The dancers are usually in a group of 6 to 10, sometimes more with a drummer in front of the dancers.
Men who form two or three lines facing the same direction perform it but, as they dance, they systematically face all directions. The dancers hold small flags and a ‘badza’ (made from a gourd). During wedding ceremony performance, entertained viewers throw money to the most entertaining dancer. After a performance, the group is awarded/paid for the performance. Apart from entertainment alone, the dance is a source of income for the members.
Mganda is also performed merely for entertainment on functions such as political party rallies. Like sister dance, Chimtali (which is performed by women), Mganda is also performed during the night in the moon light in villages for entertainment. People come from all corners of the village and surrounding villages to watch men dancing. This group of Mganda dancers is based in Mponela area in Dowa district.
Another popular form of dance practiced in the villages is Chitelera. Chitelera is mostly performed for entertainment on full-moon nights by young girls, but also is used as a form of inter-village competition. Teams of girls travel to neighboring villages to see which village has more talented dancers. Girls form cycles as they dance."
****
From http://www.folkways.si.edu/malipenga-dance-music-from-the-tonga-speaking-people-of-malawi/world/music/album/smithsonian
Malipenga dance music from the Tonga-speaking people of Malawi
Various Artists ILAMTR037B
The malipenga, dance music of the Tonga people of Nyasaland, now called Malawi, is said to have originated in imitations of military drills, substituting singing horns--kazoolike instruments--for military brass instruments. Hugh Tracey recorded this music in 1957. The people were from Malawi, but the recordings were made in mining compounds in Zambia and South Africa.
Country(s) Malawi
Culture Group(s) Tonga
Instrument(s) Bass drum; Chandi; Drum, cylindrical; Ensemble leader; Malipenga; Muganda; Vocals
-snip-
Additional information about this dance is found in some of the video summaries & discussion comments below.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.
Example #1: Malipenga "White"
Bamudala6, Uploaded on Oct 9, 2008
This dance doesn't have a very long tradition but took the Northern Region by storm. The Ngoni Kings literally banned it to protect their traditional dance
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video discussion thread:
mwai72, 2011
"Here is a hostorical fact. Men from the North, would rehearse this dance EVERY DAY, afternoon, and DEMANDED that women go gardening!!...It took H.E. Kamuzu Banda to tell them, 'hey, it cool to dance, but you cant be doing it at the expense of having WOMEN being the bread winner and you just dancing' Kamuzu was responsible for the mind shift of Northern men. Great dance either way :-)!!"
****
Example #2: Malipenga "Khaki"
Bamudala6Uploaded on Oct 9, 2008
One of the popular dances in the Northern Region of Malawi
****
Example #3: Mganda at Kipingu 1
Mtumpya's channel Uploaded on Dec 26, 2010
****
Example #4: Mng'anda (MTAA KWA MTAA BLOG)
Othman Michuzi Uploaded on Jan 28, 2011
****
Example #5: Malipenga
onelahv, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Malipenga is a traditional dance for both men and women in the northern region of Malawi, specifically Karonga and Chitipa districts. The men dress in white and paint their faces, dance, play drums, kazoos, and other instruments.
Malawi is divided into three major political regions namely south, center and northern region. Each region is dominated by one or two tribal groups of people. For example, the Yao and Lomwe tribes are mainly found in southern part of the country. The Chewa and Ngoni dominate the central region while the Tumbuka and Tonga occupy a bigger portion of the northern region. However, it is interesting to note that in each of the 28 districts of the country, there are almost each of the tribal members living in harmony with the rest. Intermarriages further strengthen the bonds of relationship.
Each of the tribes performs their traditional dances for particular function or ceremony, and these traditional dances help to spice up the daily lives of African people. As villagers live in small communities, their daily activities are linked and do most of activities together. They eat together. Families bring food and eat together. They farm together, from one family’s farm they rotate to others.
****
Example #6: Mganda .mpg
frost52, Uploaded on Aug 20, 2011
Ngoma ya asili ya wanyasa ichezwayo na wanaume katika ukanda wa ziwa Nyasa.
****
ADDENDUM
Chilimika Dance -For Tonga People in Malawi
lainala, Published on Feb 16, 2013
The Dance that is popular for Tonga tribe in Nkhata-Bay and North Nkhota-kota. This is for the ladies and for the guys it is known as Malipenga. This was during the Banonie Mwale's and Thomas Mwale's Party when they were celebrating that after missing each other for 7 years and during this day also the Audience were happy also after Banonie Mwale accepted their request of becoming an MP of Nkhota -kota North constituency .
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post presents information & comments about Malawi's Malipenga (Mganda) dance. Videos of these dances are also included in this post.
The Addendum to this post showcases a video of the Chilimika dance. That dance is a female form of the Malipenga.
Malawi is located in southeast Africa.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyright remains with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in videos shown in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALIPENGA
From http://www.sdnp.org.mw/dance-troupe/dance.html
"Malipenga is a modern dance for men. It is believed that it was started by ex-servicemen who developed it from the military parades of the old Kings African Rifles.
Malipenga started in Nkhata Bay District and spread all over the Northern Region of Malawi. In the Central Region, Mganda, which is a varient of Malipenga is performed in Kasungu, Nkhota kota, Salima, Ntchisi, Dowa and Lilongwe Districts.
A Malipenga group is known as a'Boma'. Each 'Boma' has its own administrative structure. The success of the Boma is the pride of the whole village. The dance is performed for the entertainment on various occasions."
****
From http://malawiproject.org/malawi-dances-the-mganda/ Wilson Tembo February 3, 2013
"The Mganda
Like other dances, Mganda is common among the Chewa tribe of central Malawi. This is probably the second most popular dance after Gule wa Mkulu (Big dance) among the Chewa. It is practiced mostly in such districts as Dowa, Lilongwe, Ntchisi, Dedza and Kasungu, and is primarily an entertainment dance performed during wedding ceremonies. The dancers are usually in a group of 6 to 10, sometimes more with a drummer in front of the dancers.
Men who form two or three lines facing the same direction perform it but, as they dance, they systematically face all directions. The dancers hold small flags and a ‘badza’ (made from a gourd). During wedding ceremony performance, entertained viewers throw money to the most entertaining dancer. After a performance, the group is awarded/paid for the performance. Apart from entertainment alone, the dance is a source of income for the members.
Mganda is also performed merely for entertainment on functions such as political party rallies. Like sister dance, Chimtali (which is performed by women), Mganda is also performed during the night in the moon light in villages for entertainment. People come from all corners of the village and surrounding villages to watch men dancing. This group of Mganda dancers is based in Mponela area in Dowa district.
Another popular form of dance practiced in the villages is Chitelera. Chitelera is mostly performed for entertainment on full-moon nights by young girls, but also is used as a form of inter-village competition. Teams of girls travel to neighboring villages to see which village has more talented dancers. Girls form cycles as they dance."
****
From http://www.folkways.si.edu/malipenga-dance-music-from-the-tonga-speaking-people-of-malawi/world/music/album/smithsonian
Malipenga dance music from the Tonga-speaking people of Malawi
Various Artists ILAMTR037B
The malipenga, dance music of the Tonga people of Nyasaland, now called Malawi, is said to have originated in imitations of military drills, substituting singing horns--kazoolike instruments--for military brass instruments. Hugh Tracey recorded this music in 1957. The people were from Malawi, but the recordings were made in mining compounds in Zambia and South Africa.
Country(s) Malawi
Culture Group(s) Tonga
Instrument(s) Bass drum; Chandi; Drum, cylindrical; Ensemble leader; Malipenga; Muganda; Vocals
-snip-
Additional information about this dance is found in some of the video summaries & discussion comments below.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.
Example #1: Malipenga "White"
Bamudala6, Uploaded on Oct 9, 2008
This dance doesn't have a very long tradition but took the Northern Region by storm. The Ngoni Kings literally banned it to protect their traditional dance
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video discussion thread:
mwai72, 2011
"Here is a hostorical fact. Men from the North, would rehearse this dance EVERY DAY, afternoon, and DEMANDED that women go gardening!!...It took H.E. Kamuzu Banda to tell them, 'hey, it cool to dance, but you cant be doing it at the expense of having WOMEN being the bread winner and you just dancing' Kamuzu was responsible for the mind shift of Northern men. Great dance either way :-)!!"
****
Example #2: Malipenga "Khaki"
Bamudala6Uploaded on Oct 9, 2008
One of the popular dances in the Northern Region of Malawi
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Example #3: Mganda at Kipingu 1
Mtumpya's channel Uploaded on Dec 26, 2010
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Example #4: Mng'anda (MTAA KWA MTAA BLOG)
Othman Michuzi Uploaded on Jan 28, 2011
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Example #5: Malipenga
onelahv, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Malipenga is a traditional dance for both men and women in the northern region of Malawi, specifically Karonga and Chitipa districts. The men dress in white and paint their faces, dance, play drums, kazoos, and other instruments.
Malawi is divided into three major political regions namely south, center and northern region. Each region is dominated by one or two tribal groups of people. For example, the Yao and Lomwe tribes are mainly found in southern part of the country. The Chewa and Ngoni dominate the central region while the Tumbuka and Tonga occupy a bigger portion of the northern region. However, it is interesting to note that in each of the 28 districts of the country, there are almost each of the tribal members living in harmony with the rest. Intermarriages further strengthen the bonds of relationship.
Each of the tribes performs their traditional dances for particular function or ceremony, and these traditional dances help to spice up the daily lives of African people. As villagers live in small communities, their daily activities are linked and do most of activities together. They eat together. Families bring food and eat together. They farm together, from one family’s farm they rotate to others.
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Example #6: Mganda .mpg
frost52, Uploaded on Aug 20, 2011
Ngoma ya asili ya wanyasa ichezwayo na wanaume katika ukanda wa ziwa Nyasa.
****
ADDENDUM
Chilimika Dance -For Tonga People in Malawi
lainala, Published on Feb 16, 2013
The Dance that is popular for Tonga tribe in Nkhata-Bay and North Nkhota-kota. This is for the ladies and for the guys it is known as Malipenga. This was during the Banonie Mwale's and Thomas Mwale's Party when they were celebrating that after missing each other for 7 years and during this day also the Audience were happy also after Banonie Mwale accepted their request of becoming an MP of Nkhota -kota North constituency .
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Haitian Vodou Veve-Like Symbol In A Malawi, Africa Video
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides a video of Malawian children dancing. A portion of that video shows a traditional Malawian healing dance that begins with a healing design drawn on the ground with baby formula. My transcription of that video is also included in this post.
I also include information about Haitian Vodou veves as they appear to be a similar custom to the healing designs that were shown being drawn in that Malawian video. Two videos of Haitian are also included in the Addendum to this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the Childern's Heart program for their service in Malawi. Thanks also to Where Is Andrew for highlighting this program. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 16,777,547 (July 2013 est.). Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre and the third is Mzuzu. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area
The area of Africa now known as Malawi was settled by migrating Bantu groups around the 10th century. Centuries later in 1891 the area was colonized by the British. In 1953 Malawi, then known as Nyasaland, became part of the semi-independent Central African Federation (CAF). The Federation was dissolved in 1963, and in 1964, Nyasaland gained full independence and was renamed Malawi...
Malawi is a majority Christian country, with a significant Muslim minority, although the exact figures are disputed. There is limited data with widely varying estimates on religious affiliation in the country. According to the Malawi Religion Project[63] run by the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, approximately 68% of the population identify as Christians, 25% as Muslim and 5% as "other".[64]"...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT VEVES
Editor's Note:
I'm including information about Haitian veves because the traditional Malawian custom of drawing designs on the ground is similar to the Haitian veves. The people of Malawi are Bantu (as per the Wikipedia article above) and one theory about the origin of veves in Haiti is that "However, it may descend from the cosmogram of the Kongo people". (Wikipedia article that follows).
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veve
"A Veve (spelled Vévé or Vevé in Latin America) is a religious symbol commonly used in Vodou and Palo. It acts as a "beacon" for the Loa, and will serve as a loa's representation during rituals.
History
The origin is unknown, though it is believed that the veve was derived from the beliefs of the Indigenous Taíno people. However, it may descend from the cosmogram of the Kongo people*; or originated as the Nsibidi system of writing for the Igboid and Ekoid languages.
Function
According to Milo Rigaud "The veves represent figures of the astral forces... In the course of Vodou ceremonies, the reproduction of the astral forces represented by the veves obliges the loas... to descend to earth." [1]
Every Loa has his or her own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same loa in some cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them, with food and drink being most commonly used.
Presentation
In ritual and other formalities, veve is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, commonly cornmeal, wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder, though the material depends entirely upon the ritual. In Haitian Vodou, a mixture of cornmeal and wood ash is used.
Veve can be made into screenprint, painting, patchwork etc., as wall hangings, artworks, and banners."
****
From http://www.voodooshop.com/voodoo/FAQanswers/faqsymbols.htm
"What is a Vever and how are they used?
A veve/vever is a symbolic design, formed on the ground (in the peristyle) by sprinkling wheatmeal, cornmeal, or some other appropriate powder from the hand, at or before the beginning of a ceremony. Such a design represents a Loa to be invoked, and serves both as a focal point for invocation and a kind of altar for offerings. Several vevers of different Loa may be drawn for one ceremony. The designs incorporate well-recognized traditional elements, but reflect also the individual intentions and creative skill of the Houngan or Mambo."
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Dancing in Malawi
Where's Andrew? Published on Apr 5, 2012
Visiting Save The Children's HEART program in southern Malawi, where children learn through the arts, including dance. Amazing to observe all of these dances & to even participate myself.
-snip-
The healing design portion of this video is found at 11-.52.
Here's my transcription of this video. (Additions and corrections are welcome.)
"I spent two days in Southern Malawi participating in Save The Children’s HEARTS program, healing through the education in the arts. Dance is an important part of the education program. I watched as these children practiced a healing dance from the Northern Malawi. First formula is placed in a design on the ground. Then the patient sits in the middle. Prayers are said and then the dancing, singing, and chanting begins. As a traveler, I was so excited to see that these rituals are being remembered. Because all it takes is a single generation for a culture to be lost and forgotten. But the purpose of dancing for education is also about self-expression, about teaching children confidence and communication.
There are no spectators. Even I got to participate. Dancing was great for these kids. It’s fun. It’s free. It’s something they can all do. All you need is a beat and in Africa someone will start dancing. And if you turn on music, it’s a party.
I’m so grateful to all of these children for reminding me that all of us need to dance."
****
ADDENDUM - VIDEOS OF VEVE IN HAITIAN VODOU CEREMONIES
Example #1: Parts Of A Vodou Service
DongoRemi, Uploaded on Mar 13, 2011
The essential parts of a Vodou ritual, including the drawing of Veves, chants for the Lwa and possession up through performing magic spells.
****
Example #2: VeVes
GWIZARD071, Uploaded on May 2, 2011
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post provides a video of Malawian children dancing. A portion of that video shows a traditional Malawian healing dance that begins with a healing design drawn on the ground with baby formula. My transcription of that video is also included in this post.
I also include information about Haitian Vodou veves as they appear to be a similar custom to the healing designs that were shown being drawn in that Malawian video. Two videos of Haitian are also included in the Addendum to this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the Childern's Heart program for their service in Malawi. Thanks also to Where Is Andrew for highlighting this program. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 16,777,547 (July 2013 est.). Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre and the third is Mzuzu. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area
The area of Africa now known as Malawi was settled by migrating Bantu groups around the 10th century. Centuries later in 1891 the area was colonized by the British. In 1953 Malawi, then known as Nyasaland, became part of the semi-independent Central African Federation (CAF). The Federation was dissolved in 1963, and in 1964, Nyasaland gained full independence and was renamed Malawi...
Malawi is a majority Christian country, with a significant Muslim minority, although the exact figures are disputed. There is limited data with widely varying estimates on religious affiliation in the country. According to the Malawi Religion Project[63] run by the University of Pennsylvania in 2010, approximately 68% of the population identify as Christians, 25% as Muslim and 5% as "other".[64]"...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT VEVES
Editor's Note:
I'm including information about Haitian veves because the traditional Malawian custom of drawing designs on the ground is similar to the Haitian veves. The people of Malawi are Bantu (as per the Wikipedia article above) and one theory about the origin of veves in Haiti is that "However, it may descend from the cosmogram of the Kongo people". (Wikipedia article that follows).
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veve
"A Veve (spelled Vévé or Vevé in Latin America) is a religious symbol commonly used in Vodou and Palo. It acts as a "beacon" for the Loa, and will serve as a loa's representation during rituals.
History
The origin is unknown, though it is believed that the veve was derived from the beliefs of the Indigenous Taíno people. However, it may descend from the cosmogram of the Kongo people*; or originated as the Nsibidi system of writing for the Igboid and Ekoid languages.
Function
According to Milo Rigaud "The veves represent figures of the astral forces... In the course of Vodou ceremonies, the reproduction of the astral forces represented by the veves obliges the loas... to descend to earth." [1]
Every Loa has his or her own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same loa in some cases. Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them, with food and drink being most commonly used.
Presentation
In ritual and other formalities, veve is usually drawn on the floor by strewing a powder-like substance, commonly cornmeal, wheat flour, bark, red brick powder, or gunpowder, though the material depends entirely upon the ritual. In Haitian Vodou, a mixture of cornmeal and wood ash is used.
Veve can be made into screenprint, painting, patchwork etc., as wall hangings, artworks, and banners."
****
From http://www.voodooshop.com/voodoo/FAQanswers/faqsymbols.htm
"What is a Vever and how are they used?
A veve/vever is a symbolic design, formed on the ground (in the peristyle) by sprinkling wheatmeal, cornmeal, or some other appropriate powder from the hand, at or before the beginning of a ceremony. Such a design represents a Loa to be invoked, and serves both as a focal point for invocation and a kind of altar for offerings. Several vevers of different Loa may be drawn for one ceremony. The designs incorporate well-recognized traditional elements, but reflect also the individual intentions and creative skill of the Houngan or Mambo."
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Dancing in Malawi
Where's Andrew? Published on Apr 5, 2012
Visiting Save The Children's HEART program in southern Malawi, where children learn through the arts, including dance. Amazing to observe all of these dances & to even participate myself.
-snip-
The healing design portion of this video is found at 11-.52.
Here's my transcription of this video. (Additions and corrections are welcome.)
"I spent two days in Southern Malawi participating in Save The Children’s HEARTS program, healing through the education in the arts. Dance is an important part of the education program. I watched as these children practiced a healing dance from the Northern Malawi. First formula is placed in a design on the ground. Then the patient sits in the middle. Prayers are said and then the dancing, singing, and chanting begins. As a traveler, I was so excited to see that these rituals are being remembered. Because all it takes is a single generation for a culture to be lost and forgotten. But the purpose of dancing for education is also about self-expression, about teaching children confidence and communication.
There are no spectators. Even I got to participate. Dancing was great for these kids. It’s fun. It’s free. It’s something they can all do. All you need is a beat and in Africa someone will start dancing. And if you turn on music, it’s a party.
I’m so grateful to all of these children for reminding me that all of us need to dance."
****
ADDENDUM - VIDEOS OF VEVE IN HAITIAN VODOU CEREMONIES
Example #1: Parts Of A Vodou Service
DongoRemi, Uploaded on Mar 13, 2011
The essential parts of a Vodou ritual, including the drawing of Veves, chants for the Lwa and possession up through performing magic spells.
****
Example #2: VeVes
GWIZARD071, Uploaded on May 2, 2011
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Five Malawian Gospel Videos By Patience Namadingo
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post features five videos of Malawi Gospel singer & songwriter Patience Namadingo. Information about Patience Namadingo is also provided in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank to for his musical legacy. Thanks also to also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT PATIENCE NAMADINGO
From http://www.reverbnation.com/patiencenamadingo
"Patience Namadingo is a Malawian gospel singer-composer and songwriter (born 28 May, 1989) signed to Ndefeyo Gospel (a sub-label under Nde’feyo Entertainment). The first born in a family of three, he hails from Kapalamula Village, T/A Nsamala in Balaka district. Growing up as a kid, Patience did his first years of primary school in Lilongwe, before his parents moved to the northern city of Mzuzu, where he spent part of his childhood, before the family relocated to Lilongwe where he did his secondary education at Chipasula Secondary School and later went to South Africa where he studied music and arts at National School of the Arts in Johannesburg...
Brought up in the way of the Lord, under parents who strongly believe in the existence of God, Patience has been a young man who has at all times had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his faith has always played a vital role in his compositions, which saw him releasing the 2010 album Tiri ndi Yesu that had the chart topping song Mtendere and made it one of the best selling gospel albums between 2010-2012..."
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated posts presented first. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find information about the meaning of these titles. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Example #1: patience namandigo- mtendere
STAROFAFRICA , Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
from the dvd album TILI NDI YESU
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Example #2: PATIENCE NAMANDIGO-SILIRANI YESU
STAROFAFRICA Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
PATIENCE NAMANDIGO TILI NDI YESU DVD ALBUM
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Example #3: PATIENCE NAMANDIGO - MBIRI
STAROFAFRICA Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
3RD SONG of patience namandigo in his dvd album TILI NDI YESU
****
Example #4: PATIENCE NAMADINGO- 'Mfumu Kale' - Official Visual
Ndefeyo Gospel , Published on Oct 7, 2013
Mfumu Kale is a single from the soon to be launched Patience Namadingo's 'Lero' album.
Its all music and dancing for the Lord. Get ready to be amazed!
****
Example #5: Unplugged - Patience Namadingo
Pamoja TV Published on Jan 20, 2014
18th January 2014
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
This post features five videos of Malawi Gospel singer & songwriter Patience Namadingo. Information about Patience Namadingo is also provided in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank to for his musical legacy. Thanks also to also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT PATIENCE NAMADINGO
From http://www.reverbnation.com/patiencenamadingo
"Patience Namadingo is a Malawian gospel singer-composer and songwriter (born 28 May, 1989) signed to Ndefeyo Gospel (a sub-label under Nde’feyo Entertainment). The first born in a family of three, he hails from Kapalamula Village, T/A Nsamala in Balaka district. Growing up as a kid, Patience did his first years of primary school in Lilongwe, before his parents moved to the northern city of Mzuzu, where he spent part of his childhood, before the family relocated to Lilongwe where he did his secondary education at Chipasula Secondary School and later went to South Africa where he studied music and arts at National School of the Arts in Johannesburg...
Brought up in the way of the Lord, under parents who strongly believe in the existence of God, Patience has been a young man who has at all times had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his faith has always played a vital role in his compositions, which saw him releasing the 2010 album Tiri ndi Yesu that had the chart topping song Mtendere and made it one of the best selling gospel albums between 2010-2012..."
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated posts presented first. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find information about the meaning of these titles. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Example #1: patience namandigo- mtendere
STAROFAFRICA , Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
from the dvd album TILI NDI YESU
****
Example #2: PATIENCE NAMANDIGO-SILIRANI YESU
STAROFAFRICA Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
PATIENCE NAMANDIGO TILI NDI YESU DVD ALBUM
****
Example #3: PATIENCE NAMANDIGO - MBIRI
STAROFAFRICA Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
3RD SONG of patience namandigo in his dvd album TILI NDI YESU
****
Example #4: PATIENCE NAMADINGO- 'Mfumu Kale' - Official Visual
Ndefeyo Gospel , Published on Oct 7, 2013
Mfumu Kale is a single from the soon to be launched Patience Namadingo's 'Lero' album.
Its all music and dancing for the Lord. Get ready to be amazed!
****
Example #5: Unplugged - Patience Namadingo
Pamoja TV Published on Jan 20, 2014
18th January 2014
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
Monday, June 23, 2014
The Diddley Bow (Musical Instrument), information & videos
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents information and selected videos about the musical instrument known as the "diddley bow".
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted & featured in this post and thanks to the publishers of these YouTube videos that are featured in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIDDLEY BOW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
From https://suite.io/marcy-paulson/4k2v2m1
"What Is a Diddley Bow?
Basically, a diddley bow consists of one string stretched tightly between two nails or screws. Musicians either pluck or strike this string to create rhythmic patterns. Because the instrument has no frets along its neck like a guitar, musicians change pitch by moving a slide—usually the neck of a glass bottle—up or down the string.
****
From http://cattailmusic.com/Blues/BluesNotes/Diddley.htm Scott Ainslie's BluesNotes: Diddley Bows
“The jumping off place for this BluesNotes on Diddley Bows is taken from Gerhard Kubik’s wonderful book, “Africa & the Blues” (University Press of Mississippi, 1999).
Writing about one-stringed instruments, Kubik cites David Evans wonderful “African-American One-Stringed Instruments” (Evans, 1970) and goes on to note that,
“Like many other African traditions and culture traits, the idea of the monochord zither seems to have smoldered on through the nineteenth century in an underground existence, perpetuated especially by children, and in the rare cases in which the instrument was perhaps observed by outsiders, it was not consider even worthy of report. Only when systematic research of the southern cultures began in the 1930s, does it become documented through photographs, and it was not recorded until the 1950s.”
This matches my experience with Diddley Bows and one-stringed instruments exactly. I first heard of these instruments from Romey Plum of the Lake Gaston area of eastern North Carolina, and subsequently from a variety of other Piedmont blues and gospel musicians. All these men spoke of the instruments with affection, as something from their childhood. Many of them made their first sounds on a stringed instrument fashioned from junk in the back yard or built on the sides of an out building, or in the case of Doug Quimby (of the Georgia Sea Island Singers), [attached to] the wall outside his mother’s kitchen!...
See below a picture of an unidentified player with a small bottle in his left hand, plucking the wire attached to the house. This photo is from the website Afro-American Folk Music from Tate and Panola Counties, Mississippi.)
[photo of man playing wire on the side of a barn]
As soon as other instruments became available, the one-strings were quickly abandoned by the players I knew, but their clear affection for the instruments drove me to begin building and playing them in the 1990s.
Kubik continues:
“In Africa, too, these instruments have been overlooked or not found worth reporting. For this reason we have notable gaps in our African distribution map. Monochord zithers are common in a relatively compact region of Africa including southeastern Nigeria, southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and the southwestern tip of the Central African Republic....[the instruments] are played mostly by two (male) youngsters, one striking the string with two sticks, the other altering its pitch by stopping the string with a knife, bottle, or other object, often sliding along it.”
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diddley_bow
"Other nicknames for [the diddley bow] include "jitterbug" or "one-string", while an ethnomusicologist would formally call it a "monochord zither".
****
UPDATE: June 24, 2014 THE MEANING OF THE VERB "DIDDLE"
The musical instrument "Diddley Bow" probably got its name from the verb "diddle" combined with the noun "bow" (with its meaning of "a part of a stringed instrument").
Here's an excerpt of definitions for "diddle":
From http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/diddle#
[with object] (usually be diddled) Cheat or swindle (someone) so as to deprive them of something:
‘he thought he’d been diddled out of his change’
1.1Deliberately falsify (something):
‘he diddled his income tax returns’
2 [no object] chiefly North American Pass time aimlessly or unproductively:
‘why diddle around with slow costly tests?’
More example sentences
2.1 (diddle with) Play or mess with:
‘he diddled with the graphics on his computer’
early 19th century: probably from the name of Jeremy Diddler, a character in the farce Raising the Wind (1803) by the Irish dramatist James Kenney (1780–1849). Diddler constantly borrowed and failed to repay small sums of money: the name may have been based on an earlier verb diddle 'walk unsteadily, swerve'.
with object] vulgar slang , chiefly North American Have sexual intercourse with (someone).
[originally in Scots dialect use in the sense 'jerk from side to side', apparently corresponding to dialect didder 'tremble']"
-snip-
Hat tip to Rita for sending me an email with information about the meaning of the verb "diddle".
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in chronological order, based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest dated videos given first.
Example #1: Lonnie Pitchford - Diddley Bow - African Roots of the Blues Part 4
The Dinizulu Archives, March 23, 2009
This is an excerpt of some footage Nana Kimati Dinizulu shot when he was conducting some research in Mississippi. The late Lonnie Pitchford can be seen and heard playing the diddley bow, a one string instrument of African origin. This footage was shot by Cheryl Johnson who introduced me to Lonnie Pitchford a few years before his passing which occurred in 1998.
****
Example #2: The History of The Diddley Bow
.
fatheadluv, August 13, 2009
-snip-
This documentary excerpt features African American examples of the diddley bow and Malawi musicians & singers performing a Christian religious song 038- 2:49 “Ndidzayimbira Yehova" [ministryof hope.org] on a “diddley bow” like instrument using a shoe polish tin for his slide. One of the other musicians plays a guitar whose box is made out of a gasoline can.
A pancocojams post that features the video from which this clip was extracted will be published ASAP.
****
Example #3: Build a Diddley Bow in under 7 minutes ( one string guitar )!
fatheadluv August 13, 2009
How to make a diddley bow
****
Example #4: Simply Muta - Mutabaruka Interviews Nana Kimati Dinizulu - Part 2
-snip-
The Dinizulu Archives, July 6, 2010
Muta interviews Nana Kimati Dinizulu on CVM TV in Kingston, Jamaica [about] Kimati Dinizulu upcoming album "Ancestral Spirits", part 2
-snip-
The diddley bow segment in this interview between Jamaican Rastafari dub poet Mutabaruka and African American percussionist Nana Kimati Dinizulu is found at .052-1:15. Here's my transcription of Kimati Dinizulu's words during that brief segment:
"The diddley bow tradition in Mississippi and other parts of the South, you can use grandma’s snuff can or an old soup can. In West Africa the children would use an old coffee can or whatever can they could get a whole of…But it’s traced back to , the origins of the ancient forms of this instrument used a calabash…horse hair, and wood."
****
Example #5: WHAT IS A DIDDLEY BOW?
Justin Johnson, April 14, 2014
The Godfather of all stringed instruments - the one stringed diddley bow
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post presents information and selected videos about the musical instrument known as the "diddley bow".
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted & featured in this post and thanks to the publishers of these YouTube videos that are featured in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIDDLEY BOW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
From https://suite.io/marcy-paulson/4k2v2m1
"What Is a Diddley Bow?
Basically, a diddley bow consists of one string stretched tightly between two nails or screws. Musicians either pluck or strike this string to create rhythmic patterns. Because the instrument has no frets along its neck like a guitar, musicians change pitch by moving a slide—usually the neck of a glass bottle—up or down the string.
****
From http://cattailmusic.com/Blues/BluesNotes/Diddley.htm Scott Ainslie's BluesNotes: Diddley Bows
“The jumping off place for this BluesNotes on Diddley Bows is taken from Gerhard Kubik’s wonderful book, “Africa & the Blues” (University Press of Mississippi, 1999).
Writing about one-stringed instruments, Kubik cites David Evans wonderful “African-American One-Stringed Instruments” (Evans, 1970) and goes on to note that,
“Like many other African traditions and culture traits, the idea of the monochord zither seems to have smoldered on through the nineteenth century in an underground existence, perpetuated especially by children, and in the rare cases in which the instrument was perhaps observed by outsiders, it was not consider even worthy of report. Only when systematic research of the southern cultures began in the 1930s, does it become documented through photographs, and it was not recorded until the 1950s.”
This matches my experience with Diddley Bows and one-stringed instruments exactly. I first heard of these instruments from Romey Plum of the Lake Gaston area of eastern North Carolina, and subsequently from a variety of other Piedmont blues and gospel musicians. All these men spoke of the instruments with affection, as something from their childhood. Many of them made their first sounds on a stringed instrument fashioned from junk in the back yard or built on the sides of an out building, or in the case of Doug Quimby (of the Georgia Sea Island Singers), [attached to] the wall outside his mother’s kitchen!...
See below a picture of an unidentified player with a small bottle in his left hand, plucking the wire attached to the house. This photo is from the website Afro-American Folk Music from Tate and Panola Counties, Mississippi.)
[photo of man playing wire on the side of a barn]
As soon as other instruments became available, the one-strings were quickly abandoned by the players I knew, but their clear affection for the instruments drove me to begin building and playing them in the 1990s.
Kubik continues:
“In Africa, too, these instruments have been overlooked or not found worth reporting. For this reason we have notable gaps in our African distribution map. Monochord zithers are common in a relatively compact region of Africa including southeastern Nigeria, southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and the southwestern tip of the Central African Republic....[the instruments] are played mostly by two (male) youngsters, one striking the string with two sticks, the other altering its pitch by stopping the string with a knife, bottle, or other object, often sliding along it.”
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diddley_bow
"Other nicknames for [the diddley bow] include "jitterbug" or "one-string", while an ethnomusicologist would formally call it a "monochord zither".
****
UPDATE: June 24, 2014 THE MEANING OF THE VERB "DIDDLE"
The musical instrument "Diddley Bow" probably got its name from the verb "diddle" combined with the noun "bow" (with its meaning of "a part of a stringed instrument").
Here's an excerpt of definitions for "diddle":
From http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/diddle#
[with object] (usually be diddled) Cheat or swindle (someone) so as to deprive them of something:
‘he thought he’d been diddled out of his change’
1.1Deliberately falsify (something):
‘he diddled his income tax returns’
2 [no object] chiefly North American Pass time aimlessly or unproductively:
‘why diddle around with slow costly tests?’
More example sentences
2.1 (diddle with) Play or mess with:
‘he diddled with the graphics on his computer’
early 19th century: probably from the name of Jeremy Diddler, a character in the farce Raising the Wind (1803) by the Irish dramatist James Kenney (1780–1849). Diddler constantly borrowed and failed to repay small sums of money: the name may have been based on an earlier verb diddle 'walk unsteadily, swerve'.
with object] vulgar slang , chiefly North American Have sexual intercourse with (someone).
[originally in Scots dialect use in the sense 'jerk from side to side', apparently corresponding to dialect didder 'tremble']"
-snip-
Hat tip to Rita for sending me an email with information about the meaning of the verb "diddle".
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in chronological order, based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest dated videos given first.
Example #1: Lonnie Pitchford - Diddley Bow - African Roots of the Blues Part 4
The Dinizulu Archives, March 23, 2009
This is an excerpt of some footage Nana Kimati Dinizulu shot when he was conducting some research in Mississippi. The late Lonnie Pitchford can be seen and heard playing the diddley bow, a one string instrument of African origin. This footage was shot by Cheryl Johnson who introduced me to Lonnie Pitchford a few years before his passing which occurred in 1998.
****
Example #2: The History of The Diddley Bow
.
fatheadluv, August 13, 2009
-snip-
This documentary excerpt features African American examples of the diddley bow and Malawi musicians & singers performing a Christian religious song 038- 2:49 “Ndidzayimbira Yehova" [ministryof hope.org] on a “diddley bow” like instrument using a shoe polish tin for his slide. One of the other musicians plays a guitar whose box is made out of a gasoline can.
A pancocojams post that features the video from which this clip was extracted will be published ASAP.
****
Example #3: Build a Diddley Bow in under 7 minutes ( one string guitar )!
fatheadluv August 13, 2009
How to make a diddley bow
****
Example #4: Simply Muta - Mutabaruka Interviews Nana Kimati Dinizulu - Part 2
-snip-
The Dinizulu Archives, July 6, 2010
Muta interviews Nana Kimati Dinizulu on CVM TV in Kingston, Jamaica [about] Kimati Dinizulu upcoming album "Ancestral Spirits", part 2
-snip-
The diddley bow segment in this interview between Jamaican Rastafari dub poet Mutabaruka and African American percussionist Nana Kimati Dinizulu is found at .052-1:15. Here's my transcription of Kimati Dinizulu's words during that brief segment:
"The diddley bow tradition in Mississippi and other parts of the South, you can use grandma’s snuff can or an old soup can. In West Africa the children would use an old coffee can or whatever can they could get a whole of…But it’s traced back to , the origins of the ancient forms of this instrument used a calabash…horse hair, and wood."
****
Example #5: WHAT IS A DIDDLEY BOW?
Justin Johnson, April 14, 2014
The Godfather of all stringed instruments - the one stringed diddley bow
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Seven Videos Of Malawian Reggae by Black Missionaries aka Ma Blacks
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases seven examples of Malawian Reggae music by Black Missionaries aka "Ma Blacks".
Information about Malawi and information about Black Missionaries are also included in this post.
The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Any information [in English] about the meaning of these song titles & the song lyrics would be greatly appreciated.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Black Missionaries for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these YouTube sound files and videos.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi (/məˈlɔːwi/ or sometimes the spelling pronunciation /məˈlɑːwi/; Chichewa: ...officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 16,777,547 (July 2013 est.). Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre and the third is Mzuzu. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. The country is also nicknamed "The Warm Heart of Africa".[9]
...Malawi's population is made up of the Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde native ethnic groups, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans. Major languages include Chichewa, an official language spoken by over 57% of the population, English, Chinyanja (12.8%), Chiyao (10.1%), and Chitumbuka (9.5%)."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK MISSIONARIES (aka "MA BLACKS")
From http://www.malawi-music.com/artist/B/11-black-missionaries/
The Black Missionaries band had originally five members, namely Evison Matafale, Peter Amidu, and three of the seven sons of Robert Fumulani: Musamude, Anjilu, and Chizondi. Currently only three of the founding members are living, after the leader and founder Evison Matafale was killed whilst in police custody in 2001, on November 7, and the death of his successor Musamude on 17 September 2007."
**
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evison_Matafale
"Evison Matafale (died 27 November 2001) was a Malawian Rastafarian whose music rose to popularity in Malawi. He was the founder and leader of the Reggae band Black Missionaries. Matafale rose to fame and became one of Malawi's favourite musicians by 2000 through the release of his debut album, Kuyimba 1, in 1999.[1][2] Matafale was known as "the prophet" in Malawi and was seen as an elder amongst the community of Malawian Rastafarians.[1]
He later disappeared from the public scene as he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and forced to cut his dreadlocks in order to get medical treatment. He died at the age of 32 in police custody in 2001
Matafale was a Rastafarian who wore dreadlocks. Matafale blended his music with a more serious political message with their Rasta philosophy and messages of peace, love and unity in Malawi....
He was an outspoken political activist in Malawi. His music reflects his views against the policies of the Muluzi government."
****
From http://musicofmalawi.wordpress.com/artists/black-missionaries/
"Black Missionaries are live legends in Malawi and never fail to draw a crowd with their take on reggae and their story-telling lyrics. Primarily active in and around the city of Blantyre and residing in Chileka, the band currently has seven members: Peter Amidu, Anjiru Fumulani, Chizondi Fumulani, Yanjanani Chumbu, Moda Fumulani, Taku Chokani, and Paul Chokani.
Comment:
Arnold Innocent | February 25, 2012
"Yes if you ask for raggae music from malawi this is the one and these are the guys you would like to see them performing live. I am a big fan of your music since the day you started producing your music. keep it up and may Jah put his right hand upon you guys. I love you."
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest examples given first.
Example #1: Black Missionaries @ Lake of Stars 2009 Malawi
malikhwa, November 7, 2009
****
Example #2: Black Missionaries - Dalo
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #3: Black Missionaries - Mwana wa Munthu (Kwa Pilato)
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #4: Black Missionaries - Ndamusowa
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #5: Black Missionaries - Reggae music high
Nyimbo za ku Malawi Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #6: Black Missionaries - Sapita Nawo
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #7: Black Missionaries - Mulomo
Moving Minds Multimedia, April 12, 2014
****
RELATRD LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/seven-videos-of-african-reggae-artists.html for other examples of African Reggae including an example of a Black Missionary song that is found in this post and comments about another Black Missionary song.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases seven examples of Malawian Reggae music by Black Missionaries aka "Ma Blacks".
Information about Malawi and information about Black Missionaries are also included in this post.
The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Any information [in English] about the meaning of these song titles & the song lyrics would be greatly appreciated.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Black Missionaries for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these YouTube sound files and videos.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MALAWI
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi
"Malawi (/məˈlɔːwi/ or sometimes the spelling pronunciation /məˈlɑːwi/; Chichewa: ...officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 16,777,547 (July 2013 est.). Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city; the second largest is Blantyre and the third is Mzuzu. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. The country is also nicknamed "The Warm Heart of Africa".[9]
...Malawi's population is made up of the Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, and Ngonde native ethnic groups, as well as populations of Asians and Europeans. Major languages include Chichewa, an official language spoken by over 57% of the population, English, Chinyanja (12.8%), Chiyao (10.1%), and Chitumbuka (9.5%)."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK MISSIONARIES (aka "MA BLACKS")
From http://www.malawi-music.com/artist/B/11-black-missionaries/
The Black Missionaries band had originally five members, namely Evison Matafale, Peter Amidu, and three of the seven sons of Robert Fumulani: Musamude, Anjilu, and Chizondi. Currently only three of the founding members are living, after the leader and founder Evison Matafale was killed whilst in police custody in 2001, on November 7, and the death of his successor Musamude on 17 September 2007."
**
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evison_Matafale
"Evison Matafale (died 27 November 2001) was a Malawian Rastafarian whose music rose to popularity in Malawi. He was the founder and leader of the Reggae band Black Missionaries. Matafale rose to fame and became one of Malawi's favourite musicians by 2000 through the release of his debut album, Kuyimba 1, in 1999.[1][2] Matafale was known as "the prophet" in Malawi and was seen as an elder amongst the community of Malawian Rastafarians.[1]
He later disappeared from the public scene as he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and forced to cut his dreadlocks in order to get medical treatment. He died at the age of 32 in police custody in 2001
Matafale was a Rastafarian who wore dreadlocks. Matafale blended his music with a more serious political message with their Rasta philosophy and messages of peace, love and unity in Malawi....
He was an outspoken political activist in Malawi. His music reflects his views against the policies of the Muluzi government."
****
From http://musicofmalawi.wordpress.com/artists/black-missionaries/
"Black Missionaries are live legends in Malawi and never fail to draw a crowd with their take on reggae and their story-telling lyrics. Primarily active in and around the city of Blantyre and residing in Chileka, the band currently has seven members: Peter Amidu, Anjiru Fumulani, Chizondi Fumulani, Yanjanani Chumbu, Moda Fumulani, Taku Chokani, and Paul Chokani.
Comment:
Arnold Innocent | February 25, 2012
"Yes if you ask for raggae music from malawi this is the one and these are the guys you would like to see them performing live. I am a big fan of your music since the day you started producing your music. keep it up and may Jah put his right hand upon you guys. I love you."
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest examples given first.
Example #1: Black Missionaries @ Lake of Stars 2009 Malawi
malikhwa, November 7, 2009
****
Example #2: Black Missionaries - Dalo
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #3: Black Missionaries - Mwana wa Munthu (Kwa Pilato)
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #4: Black Missionaries - Ndamusowa
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #5: Black Missionaries - Reggae music high
Nyimbo za ku Malawi Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #6: Black Missionaries - Sapita Nawo
Nyimbo za ku Malawi, Publisher Feb. 20, 2013
****
Example #7: Black Missionaries - Mulomo
Moving Minds Multimedia, April 12, 2014
****
RELATRD LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/seven-videos-of-african-reggae-artists.html for other examples of African Reggae including an example of a Black Missionary song that is found in this post and comments about another Black Missionary song.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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