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Songs sung in the late evening after supper just before they go to sleep are a feature of the musical life of the Chewa it would appear. "Lembani kalata kwa masula nkutali-ee Yayi toto ine zilowe mu bus ndrama." "Write a letter to Masula saying it is very far. No I don't want to put money in the bus (pay for the bus fare)." a song as if far away from home. It was first son at Cikula's district, about 3 miles away, they say. 

Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sending of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have arisen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vani... Away from the Congo river itself it appears that the art of sending drum messages deteriorates into the sending of signals only, the former being based upon the tonality of the individual words comprising the sentences transmitted, the latter comprising pre-set phrases and rhythms to which certain significance is attached. The signals may have arisen from messages in the past but the skill of 'talking' on the drums has almost if not entirely vanished among the Mangbele. The significance of the 'Tamatsaro' signal was not explained. Show more Show less

The large Igogo deja was carved out of a single log and shaped like an antelope. It was 43" tall, the body 52" long, the tail 28 1/2" and the head 33". It was 42 1/2" wide, a total of 9 foot 5 1/2" long from tip to tail. The four legs were 10" tall carrying the triangular sectioned body, sounding two notes -- 56 and 48 vs. one from either flank. The wooden drums are in reality wooden gongs from which two or more tones can be produced according... The large Igogo deja was carved out of a single log and shaped like an antelope. It was 43" tall, the body 52" long, the tail 28 1/2" and the head 33". It was 42 1/2" wide, a total of 9 foot 5 1/2" long from tip to tail. The four legs were 10" tall carrying the triangular sectioned body, sounding two notes -- 56 and 48 vs. one from either flank. The wooden drums are in reality wooden gongs from which two or more tones can be produced according to the position of the blow. The two sides of the slit usually record two distinct tones when hit near the mouth of the slit. Blows in this position appear to be those usually employed when sending messages or signals. For dancing, lighter tones can be produced by striking the upper ends of the drum, and deeper notes by hitting low down on the body of the drum nearer the waist. This recording is a part only of the dance already in progress. Show more Show less

This kind of dance, they say, was first introduced into the district by Yao people, about 15 years ago, 1940, when it was originally sung in the Yao language, from the Fort Johnstone District. But the Chewa girls liked the dance and made up their own words for it. They reflect the young girls growing sense of responsibility toward her domestic duties. "Alaina nkuphika nkhwani nanga ine ndidyele ciani alaina Mai wanga nkuphika nkhwani nanga ine nd... This kind of dance, they say, was first introduced into the district by Yao people, about 15 years ago, 1940, when it was originally sung in the Yao language, from the Fort Johnstone District. But the Chewa girls liked the dance and made up their own words for it. They reflect the young girls growing sense of responsibility toward her domestic duties. "Alaina nkuphika nkhwani nanga ine ndidyele ciani alaina Mai wanga nkuphika nkhwani nanga ine ndidyele ciani." "Alaina cooked vegetables, what shall I do for vegetables myself? My mother cooked vegetables, what shall I do for vegetables myself?" Show more Show less