Algerian Berber Music CD

The Kabyles, an Algerian Berber people representing one of the oldest Northwestern African civilizations, hold poetry and music in high esteem. The music presented here is used in celebration of a marriage feast and the religious holiday Aid-Amezziane. The songs mourn poverty, misfortune and unrequited love, while always maintaining a sense of pride. Instrumentation includes the ajouag (shepherd’s flute), cornemuse (similar to the bagpipes), ghaita (a double reed instrument similar to the oboe), t’bel (tambourine) and bendir (frame drum) as well as more recent additions to the instrumental assortment: the violin, guitar and banjo.

"This item is part of the Folkways (Cook, or Paredon, or Monitor) archives. The original liner notes from the LP are included."

Tracks Artist/Performer
101 Bride, The A chorus of women with a female soloist
102 Sad Exiles, The
103 Brokenhearted A young girl singing
201 Alone A young women
202 Death of a Hero