The scarcity of game resulting from deforestation, the rural exodus and the folklorization of their heritage for the tourist industry are the principal factors contributing to the gradual disappearance of many of their traditional customs, rituals and skills. The lifestyle of the Aka Pygmies has been drastically disrupted due to the changes currently taking place in the Central African Republic. Relying entirely on oral transmission, the Aka Pygmies have succeeded in preserving their musical knowledge within the community by including children in rituals from an early age. Depending on the ritual, some dances feature men only, while others may be executed by couples or by male and female solo dancers. The dances are performed to the accompaniment of vibrant hand-clapping.
The songs perpetuate essential knowledge for the cohesion of the group and the preservation of community values. The songs are generally accompanied by various percussion and string instruments, each one played for a specific occasion.Among the most common instruments are a local type of drum (enzeko), a harp-like instrument known as the geedale-bagongo, and the single-string bow (mbela). During performances, each singer can change his or her voice to produce a multitude of variations, creating the impression that the music is continuously evolving.
#Polyphonic singing hoax free
Men and women are equally valued, elders have no authority over juniors, and as soon as a child can walk they are free to chose where they sleep.
Yaka Pygmy hunter-gatherers are one of the increasingly rare egalitarian societies on earth. Unlike polyphonic systems that are written down in notation, the vocal tradition of the Aka Pygmies allows for spontaneous expression and improvisation. Polyphonic Singing Workshop inspired by Yaka Pygmy Culture. It’s a technique common to Tuva, Inuit, and Xhosa cultures but largely unfamiliar to us in Western music.
Music and dance form an integral part of Aka rituals including ceremonies related to the inauguration of new encampments, hunting and funerals. Last year we drew your attention to the video above from Munich-based singer Anna-Maria Hefele in which she gives us a stunning demonstration of polyphonic overtone singing. The Aka Pygmies living in the south-west region of the Central African Republic have developed a distinctive vocal musical tradition, which involves a complex type of contrapuntal polyphony based on four voices, mastered by all members of the Aka community.
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