Bushman, The
Polyphonies From The Kalahari Desert
PAL - All Regions
The Bushmen's music elicits reactions of surprise and wonder. Practically unknown, the Ju'hoasnsi constitute one of Southern Africa's numerous Bushmen groups. They live north of the Kalahari, in a semi-desert bush region, and they rarely travel outside their country. Even today, the Ju'hoan culture's polyphonies are closely tied to community life. Each community has its own repertoires. Hand-clapping, shakers, metal percussion instruments and the famous clicks (clicking the tongue against the palate) give rythmn to the songs.
The music today, as in the past accompanies all the rituals (initiation of the boys to manhood and girls to womanhood, hunting, preventitive medicine). A day does? not pass that the community does not sing or play their musical instruments. For every activity there is a precise musical catalogue, composed of one or several pieces possessing specific characteristics and carrying a clean name in the language of the Ju'hoasnsi that is quite enchanting.
The music performed includes: The healing chant, Bow music, Chant of the initiation of women, Music for the Lamellophone, The hunting chant