Music From Nigeria #4

I. Wouldn't. Know the. Music from Nigeria recorded by Robert G Armstrong professor of linguistics and director of the Institute of African studies at the University of Ibadan. Professor Armstrong introduces today's program in this program. We want to listen to the so-called great ceremony and the Dama domo people live in the southern part of the benefit Plateau state of Nigeria. About 100 miles east of the Niger and beginning at the Benoni for 100 miles

south of the bend we've ever. The great ceremony is a cycle of funeral songs which are performed at the funerals of very senior people whether men or women. And we will hear an ancestral mask belonging to the chief of the Turk. Well the main female voice very rich contralto voice is by a very very old lady named Diego a famous singer who has died since making this record. But she was at least 80 years old when she sang these songs. And I think you will be astonished at the quality of the voice and her artistry in these songs. It must be understood that this is very hot. That is to say very sacred music taboo music. It is only to be done live at a funeral or else it is dangerous and might easily kill somebody. The

elders However assured me that an electronic recording cancels the taboo and it is quite safe to listen to a tape recording or radio broadcast of this music. There is a small group of singers accompanying a dig and the mask and the instruments you will hear is the heavy blackboard rattle and also to drums a rather resonant kettle drum and a rather soft bass drum which is delicately played with finger tips. The songs actually divided into two parts of the music of the Wake comes the night before and then the actual funeral ceremony itself. The rather weird voice that you will hear at first the spirit voice of the ancestral mask during the main part of the music. This mask alternates chants with

the old lady who is the principal singer. The. Good. One.

How do I do that. Oh I. Know. I guess.

I know that. How

are you. How do.

I know. I'm not gonna do it. Why do you.

Look.

Look. At it. Had. Had.

Had. Had any. How do. You know. Yes I know they are. Right. You have heard of the great ceremony a cycle of funeral songs of the old

section of the people in the benami Plateau state of Nigeria. This final programme of the series music from Nigeria was introduced and recorded by Robert Armstrong professor of linguistics and director of the Institute of African studies at the University of Ibadan. These programs were produced by Linda clutter at the University of Wisconsin station in Madison speaking this is the national educational radio network.