First part of the recording consists of traditional, principally wordless, songs of the Baka of Gabon; the 2nd part is a fragment of the Fang epic ballad Mvet, with harp-zither, sticks & choral responses.

Compact disc.

Program notes by Pierre Sallée in English & French (24 p. : ill.) inserted in container.

Recorded by Pierre Sallée : 1st part in Feb. 1966 & Mar. 1973 in the Nyanga Mougounda & Elone encampment, near Minvoul, Gabon; the 2nd part in 1973 at Nkok Esi, Gabon.

Chantres de l'épopée.

Mvet.

Music of Pygmies Bibayak

Music of Bibayak Pygmies.

Gabon

[Part 1] : Musique des pygmées Bibayak (Baka Bambuké). Mebasi : jeu vocal (6:56)

Etudes de jodls [yodels ; for 1-6 voices] (10:31)

Séquences polyphoniques [polyphonic sequences]. For 5 voices & tambour ; For chorus & percussion (4:41)

Séquences polyphoniques [suite] (3:30)

Chant et sanza = Voice & sanza [harp] (performed by Patrice et Leontine Mboumba; rec. 1973) (6:56)

Dialogues avec les esprits [women's voices]. Kosé ; Tsinghi (12:38)

[Part 2] : Chantres de l'épopée. Chant épique du "Mvet" : [epic chant] fragment [about a great game-match between the Fang and the Pygmies] (rec. 1973). Perfomred in Ntoumou (dialect of Fang) by Akwé Obiang, bard ; [with harp, mixed voices & sticks acc. ] (22:35).

Baka (West African people) > Gabon > Music.

Fang (West African people) > Gabon > Music.

Folk music > Gabon.

Folk songs > Gabon.

Ballads, Fang > Gabon.

Music > Gabon.