Talking balafons

Authors

  • Hugo Zemp French Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) at the Musee de l'Homme in Paris.
  • Sikaman Soro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v8i4.1864

Abstract

It is evident that the relationship between natural language and balafon playing goes beyond mere imitation, or rather transposition, of tonemes and long and short syllables. Senufo balafonists not only reproduce linguistic statements: they produce them while also making music. Balafon tunes, with their underlying words, bring into play interactive communication, artistic creativity and aesthetic pleasure. THey bring joy to the musicians and to all those who take part in the event.

References

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Hugo Zemp 2001/2002 Masters of the Balafon. A series by Hugo Zemp. Production: Sélénium Films/Süpor XAO, Distribution: Documentary Educational Resources, www.der.org.
Funeral Festivities, 80 minutes, 2001.
The Joy of Youth, 70 minutes, 2002.
The Wood and the Calabash, 47 minutes, 2002.
Friend, Well Come! tj minutes, 2002.
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Published

2010-11-30

How to Cite

“Talking Balafons”. 2010. African Music : Journal of the International Library of African Music 8 (4): 6-23. https://doi.org/10.21504/amj.v8i4.1864.