AFRICA - - At the Court of the Mwami (Rwanda 1952)

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HUGH TRACEY RECORDINGS - At the Court of the Mwami (Rwanda 1952)

Review by John Vallier

For five centuries the Tutsi Banyiginya dynasty held court in Rwanda. But with departure of the Belgian colonists — who employed the Tutsis to maintain order — and the establishment of an independent Republic of Rwanda in 1961, the Tutsi reign came to an end. With its downfall the Tutsi Mwami, or king-shepherd, fled, and the highly developed arts forms that were unique to his court began to disappear. In 1952 musicologist Hugh Tracey toured Rwanda and documented one of the last Mwami courts. A portion of his recordings is presented here, on At the Court of Mwami, Ruanda. Though the Tutsis were in control of the court, the performers heard here are of Tutsi, Twa, and Hutu descent. After a short documentary introduction by none other than Tracey himself, seven royal drumbeats are played. Each has its own communal symbolism and complex musical characteristics. These are thoroughly composed works that makes use of 4/4, 6/8, 5/5, and 11/8 time. In contrast to these bristling beats is a male-female vocal duo singing about the Mwami's sojourn to Belgium. It's a highly dynamic tune that begins with gentle low notes, works its way up into oxygen-deprived heights, and then cascades back down to its warm opening mood. Not only a collection of amazing and diverse musical performances, At the Court of Mwami, Ruanda is a historical document that highlights Rwanda's complex and often tumultuous past. Detailed liner notes, which are a trademark of all CDs in this series, do an excellent job at contextualizing the performances. Again, another stellar Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey release.

01 Hugh Tracey Speaks 00:08
02 Zirasuka 02:04
03 Imirindi 01:09
04 Uruchina 02:48
05 Umuterero 02:03
06 Ichimanura 02:37
07 Agasiga 02:48
08 Ichirusha 02:34
09 Nimuze Tugweragwere 03:18
10 Hahirwa Nyiramibambwe 02:38
11 Amaliza 01:28
12 Benimana 01:28
13 Mpundu 02:58
14 Igiterane 02:57
15 Rukanga Rwamajana 02:50
16 Ikizire 01:20
17 Ingaju 01:36
18 Kyarutema 02:59
19 Inyamibwa 02:33
20 Lama 02:46
21 Akakira Urubunda Uwabigega Umu 05:49
22 Ibiteyo 00:54
23 Zigezikaragwe 02:28
24 Agasiga K'I Gaseke 01:50
25 Uruchantege 02:51

Quality: 192Kbps + cover