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Dongo Mothi | East African

Title: 
Dongo Mothi
Audio: 

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Description: 

A Mamboko dance song with accordian and struck iron. The "struck iron" was an old starter ring from the flywheel of a car. It is necessary to have a circular or 'S' shaped piece of metal for convenient playing of the double beat. The performer called it 'Kengere' or 'Beru' bell.
The sweepers in Nairobi, they say, always come from Embu. Kibunga Waita, the iron player, was no exception. Elsewhere in Africa certain tribes tend to adopt one occupation exclusively.
After hearing a few Kikuyu songs to the accompaniment of the iron and accordian, the listener who is not case hardened to the noise, may experience a singing in the ears for several hours afterwards.
Listening to this kind of Kikuyu music is more a feat of endurance than an aesthetic pleasure.Further details refer ILAM field card number: F3H 3

Artist(s): 

Johnnie Murithe Wambu (Performer)
Kibunga Waita (Performer)

Date: 
1952-06-08
Format: 

78 RPM Shellac Record

Format: 

00:02:50

Format: 

Sound Forge V. 8

Format: 

Technics SP - 10 MK II direct drive turntable

Format: 

Vestax BDT - 2500 belt drive turntable

Format: 

Studer Revox Interface SP 10-8

Source: 

Shellac record number: TP3085

Source: 

Master number : XYZ7292

Source: 

Recording number: 7292

Source: 

Sound of Africa series number: TR-159 B6

Source: 

Tape number: F62

Source: 

Research number: F3H 3

Rights: 

International Library of African Music

Publisher: 

International Library of African Music

Identifier (disa): 
mus1952-06-08.036.018.TP3085-XYZ7292
Identifier (original): 
TP3085-XYZ7292
Identifier (greenstone export db): 
6819