Sound Directions: Digital Audio Preservation and Access for Global Audio Heritage
Merriam Collection Audio Sampler
In 1951 and 1952, Alan and Barbara Merriam conducted fieldwork in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, making audio recordings with an early vacuum tube reel-to-reel tape deck manufactured by Magnecord. During their research they recorded performances of many types of music including local political and war songs.
The original field recordings were made on unstable acetate base tape and are suffering from the beginning stages of "vinegar syndrome," a condition in which the tape actively deteriorates and may become unplayable. The efforts of the NEH-funded Sound Directions project has saved these recordings through the careful analog to digital preservation transfers made by the team at the Archives of Traditional Music.
A sampling of these remarkable recordings can be heard here. The information below describes what you will hear on this montage of field recordings from the Merriam collection.
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Singing possibly accompanied bojeke (rattle). Recorded in Iboko, West-Central Congo. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6617, item 11]
2 [0:50]
Drumming recorded in Kitega, Burundi. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6685, item 2]
3 [0:36]
Instrumental music played on Mulizi (flute) by an unidentified Bashi soloist. The flute player is humming while playing, producing interesting timbral/overtone effect. Recorded in Kasheke, Eastern Belgian Congo. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6560, item 1]
4 [0:43]
Singing by unidentified Batwa performer, possibly accompanied by inanga. Soloist occasionally whispers to create a special acoustic effect. Recorded in Nyagatare, Ruanda. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6591, item 4]
5 [0:36]
Singing by unidentified Barundi performer accompanied by plucked lamellaphone with resonator. Recorded in Kivimba, Burundi. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6584, item 10]
6 [0:36]
Singing by unidentified Barundi performer, possibly accompanied by inanga. Recorded in Rubura, Burundi. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6578, item 12]
7 [0:44]
Singing by unidentified Bakiga performer, possibly accompanied by inanga. Recorded in Mugote, Ruanda. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6574, item 8]
8 [1:11]
Song performed by unidentified Abatutsi performers. Recorded in Nyagatare, Ruanda. [Source: 66-127-F, OT 6589, item 12]
