Africa South of the Sahara
This 1957 compilation attempts to provide a musical overview of the entire Sub–Saharan region, and also represents the scholarly contribution of American ethnomusicologist Alan P. Merriam (1923 — 1980) to the Folkways catalog. Merriam, who is best remembered for the book The Anthropology of Music, produced the album and provided an essay and track notes. This title went a long way towards dispelling prejudices and misconceptions listeners of the time may have had about African music. Merriam wrote, “The African music system works by its own rules and satisfies those who play it and sing it; it is neither necessarily older nor younger nor better nor worse.”
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Track Listing
Album Info
Folkways Suggests
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Madagascar: Spirit Music from the Tamatave RegionVarious Artists
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Music of the Ashanti of GhanaVarious Artists
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Music of the World's Peoples: Vol. 3Various Artists
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From the ArchivesSongs featuring Idiophones from Smithsonian Folkways -
From the ArchivesSongs from West Africa from Smithsonian Folkways -
From the ArchivesSoccer Traditions: 32 Nations in Song from Smithsonian Folkways -
From the ArchivesWhere in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? from Smithsonian Folkways -
From the ArchivesMusic of East Africa from Smithsonian Folkways
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From the ArchivesCoffee, Music, and the Performance of Peace | Smithsonian Folkways -
From the ArchivesMirembe Kawomera (Delicious Peace) | Smithsonian Folkways Magazine -
From the Archives“Proud of who I am”: Venda Children’s Musical Cultures | ... -
From the ArchivesMusic of Ghana: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's ... -
From the ArchivesDrum Sounds and Their Meanings