Polyphonies Mongo - Batwa Ekonda
Ocora - OCR-53 - P.1971
Side A
A1 Sortie de Walekele 1'21
A2 Sortie de Walekele (suite) 3'46
A3 Sortie de Walekele (suite) 2'39
A4 Chant Ekonda avec accompagnement de chitare sur bâton 3'35
A5 Chant Ekonda avec accompagnement de chitare sur bâton 1'26
A6 Danse esoya 1'25
A7 Chœurs de femmes Ekonda 6'31
Side B
B1 Chœurs d'hommes Ekonda 14'00
B1 Chœurs d'hommes Ekonda (suite) 3'27
Recordings made by Benoit Quersin in the Democratic Repblic of Congo during the months April and May in 1970. This region is near the Equator in an area between Lake Tumba and the village Itipo. The population in the area around the lake consist of Ntomba and furteher away of the Ekonda, there are also a number of Batwa of pygmy origin. The lanscape is flat and almost entirely covered by large equatorial forest.
The Ekonda like most inhabitants of the central Congolese basin belong to the Mongo group and have very similar cultures. Here are some of the most enjoyable vocal polyphony recorded from this region that I know of, not only musically but also with regards to ambiance and atmosphere.