Reel no. 25; IS-1; EJ-1 August 21, 1965, August 22, 1965, n.d.

Format:

Sound recording

Contributor:

Thieme, Darius L. (Darius Louis), 1928- contributor.

Adam Matthew Digital (Firm), digitiser.

Series:

16. Isundunrin (1965-1966)

Darius Thieme Collection

Language:

English

Genre:

Sound recordings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

n.d.

Marlborough, Wiltshire : Adam Matthew Digital, 2019.

System Details:

digital

optical

Summary:

Description: Scope/Content: Isundunrin and Ejigbo: Side 1-01 : Gangan proverbs, Isundunrin (Adeyemo Ahmadu Aremu Agansola); Side 1-02: Agere drum, Isundunrin (Samuel Ogunduran);Side 1-03: Koso drum, Ejigbo- (Ifakorede Ayanwumi): a. Demonstration, b. Oriki of Yoruba, c. Oriki of compound-etc. Description: 1-01 : Gangan are a family of hourglass-shaped, double-membrane, pressure drums that are viewed either as a sub-family of dundun pressure drums or a close relative thereof. Although widely distributed in Yorubaland, performers of gangan are far less common than those of dundun. Gangan may be employed in a wide range of social, ceremonial, and religious occasions. Today, however, gangan is favored by the elderly and is typically limited to certain religious ceremonies and for oriki recitation/praise singing. Although commonly mixed with members of the dundun family (see, e.g., OMR 046, side 1-02), the standard organization of the gangan family includes, in order of size, the gangan, adama (apala), and kanango. While the gangan typically plays a lead role (like the iyalu dundun) in the ensemble, other members of the family may do so as well. Furthermore, each of the drums has its own independent use as a solo and lead instrument. The gangan, for example, may be used to lead ensembles of various instruments (e.g., OMR017, side 1-01: gangan with sakara rattles; OMR062, side 1-01: gangan with ekutu and tioko) or for solo oriki recitation. The apala/adama is used in popular music such as apala (e.g., OMR008, side 1-02; OMR 011), juju (e.g., OMR032-OMR033), and highlife. It may also be used for solo recitation of oriki (*e.g., OMR 66, Side 1-01 for solo oriki on apala/adama). The kanango has in the past had a variety of uses, but is nowadays used primarily as a practice instrument by children or other novices (Thieme 1969: 57-93). 1-02: Agere are a family of pegged, cylindrical, single-membrane drums which can be classified as part of the the larger "igbin" genus. Technique is similar to that of igbin proper, with two sticks or hand-stick combinations used. Like igbin the lead drum can be made to "speak" by means of variation in pitch and timbre. Agere may be combined with apesin in some occasions. Agere are widespread in Yorubaland and usage differs. In most areas it is kept in hunters' compounds and used infrequently - only for hunters' ceremonies or the worship of the deity Ogun. In Lanlate (Ibarapa) and Ijebu-Ijesha (Ijeshaland) areas, however, it was used for a wider variety of ceremonial and social purposes (Thieme 1969: 247, 264). 1-03: Koso is a single-membrane hourglass-shaped pressure drum, possibly related to the Hausa kotso and kosso. The drum is restricted primarily to the accompaniment of oriki (praise/attributive poetry) or historical poems on special occasions and festivals, and it is used for people of rank (e.g. death, funeral, anniversary, or installation of a ruler). The Alaafin of Oyo owns a special version of the koso, which is of different construction and considered powerful. The koso is considered among the oldest of Yoruba drums, some sources dating it to the birth of the Oyo Empire. A typical koso drummer is also an accomplished singer of oriki and historical poems. Texts are sung in a rhythmically free, declamatory or recitative-like style, with the koso providing brief rhythmic punctuations between phrases. The poem recited here by Ifakorede Ayanurumi recounts the mythical history and heroic qualities of several Yoruba rulers, including Oranyan, Sango, Oba Ganju, and Obalokun, as well as the oriki of his own compound (Alukoso) and other important people in the town (Thieme 1969:94-107).

Participant:

Contributors: Darius Louis Thieme.

Notes:

Item number: 2005.09_061.

Includes updated metadata from Jesse Ruskin.copy begins at arrow-and continues to item 1, tape 26.

Description based on online resource (viewed on 17 January, 2022).

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.