Tanzania. Music of the Farmer Composers of Sukumaland CD

From the Music of the Earth CD series.

70 minutes from the farmer composers of Sukumaland, subtitled "We Never Sleep, We Dream of Farming." Known as baringi, these composers are farmers first, but also act as singers, dance conductors and organizers, as well as communicators with dead ancestors. This final aspect is crucial, as the spirit world is seen as the source for all new musical compositions. Recorded in 1994 and 95 by Frank Gunderson (currently with Indiana University's Archives for Traditional Music), this release features historical pieces, festive labor songs and post-harvest competition pieces.