The Funga Alafia (Fanga) Song - Part 3 (Videos)

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Revised 4/21/2013]

This is Part 3 of a three part series on The Funga Alafia (Fanga) song.

The first video in this post provides an example of how the traditional Fanga percussion rhythm is played. The remaining videos are examples of the song "Funga Alafia", a song which was composed by African American percussionist LaRocque Bey in the 1950s.

Part #1 in this series focuses on the history of the Fanga dance and the "Funga Alafia" song. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/real-history-of-funga-alafia-fanga-song.html for that post.

Part 2 features one example of the lyrics for the song "Funga Alafia".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/funga-alafia-fanga-song-part-2-lyrics.html for some other lyric examples for that song.

The information in this post and these videos are presented for folkloric, sociological, educational, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

This post does not purport to present all of the ways that "Funga Alafia" is performed.

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Video #1: Landaya plays: Fanga



SAMBLADIABATE, Uploaded on Feb 26, 2008

This JEMBE recording was made in 1998, when we, the Landaya group, won the first prize for the National Culture Festival (SNC) in Burkina Faso. I was the composer and the balafon soloist of the group.

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Video #2: Baba Olatunji plays Fanga



Uploaded by dkern8 on Mar 22, 2011

Baba Olatunji and the dancers and drummers from our class perform Fanga at Omega Institute in August of 1993.

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Video #3: The Nat Turner Drum Circle- "Funga Alafia!



itaintwhatitis, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2010

The Nat Turner Drum Circle regularly participates in the "Maafa: Day of Remembrance" programs in Rochester, NY. Every July 3rd sincere souls gather at the shoreline of Lake Ontario, Durand Eastman Park, Rochester, NY and honor the lives lost in the Middle Passage and the incredible resilience of people of African descent worldwide for making a way out of no way! This footage was shot at the 2009 celebration and features the wonderful vocals and dancing of Zambian gospel artist Wala.

LYRICS: FUNGA ALAFIA

Funga Alafia
Ase Ase [pronounced ah-shay ah-shay]
Funga Alafia
Ase Ase [pronounced ah-shay ah-shay]

[repeat entire verse]

With our mind we welcome you
Ase Ase
With our mind we welcome you
Ase Ase

With our heart we welcome you
Ase Ase
With our heart we welcome you
Ase Ase

Funga Alafia etc.

Move it to the right now
Ase Ase
Move it to the right now
Ase Ase

Move it to the left now etc.

Funga Alafia etc.

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Example #4: "Fanga" - Welcome



Uploaded by stagepresencehouston on Nov 22, 2010

Debbie Allen Dance Institute Houston 2009

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Video #5: Gullah Gullah Island "Fungah alafia"



Uploaded by taylorlord on Nov 14, 2009

"Fungah alafia" from GGI

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Video #6: Funga Alafia



Uploaded by souderpower3 on Jun 5, 2008

NJIS Lower School Performing Arts Assembly- Grade 5

Editor: The video uploader is from Indonesia.

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Video #7: Keep The Beat



hirobbi, Uploaded on Aug 1, 2010

Get yourself dancing and moving and keeping the beat of your heart PUMPING!!!!

This video features some of the children in the 2010 Lehigh Valley SummerBridge summer camp performing arts club! Whew! They are summer children - enjoy!

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all those who are featured in these video. Thanks to the uploaders of these videos.

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