Three Yorùbá songs, sung by women supporters of the two parties in the Federal elections of 1959 in western Nigeria.
The palm tree grows in the far bush:
Nobody allows the leper to build his house in the town:
The palm tree grows in the far bush…
Bawa’s House
A Hausa song from northern Nigeria, popular with women. It is from an anthropological record of the Hausa people, partly compiled from an oral account given by Baba (1877–1951), the daughter of a Hausa farmer and Koranic teacher, and translated by May K. Smith.
The barber doesn’t want a burning passion:
He doesn’t wish it to break him up…
Ibadan
A Yorùbá Iwi, or masqueradors’, chant from Nigeria. It is a sharp criticism of modern Ibadan as a town of thieves, violence and disease. See also Oriki Ibadan.
The spirit of the rock protects the town.
Ibadan, don’t fight!..
More Vimbuza Songs
Vimbuza is a spirit possession ceremony practiced by the Tumbuka people who live in eastern Zambia and northern Malawi.
What will I ever wear with him?
What will I ever wear with him?
Song of the Zakkama to the Sultan of Borno
An extract from a Kanuri Praise-Poem from the ancient kingdom of Bornu in northern Nigeria. The Sultan had three official praise singers, who walked beside him procession, or stood before him in audience.
You, son of Gumsu, Gumsu Amina,
daughter of Talba, you Ibrahim,
Have attained to your father’s place among the great…
