Mali: The Sunjata Epic

Timbuktu

The Ancient University at Sankore Mosque

In this video Malian scholar Ali Ould Sidi talks about the 16^th century University of Sankore in Timbuktu where more than 25,000 students followed a rigorous 10-year program of astronomy, medicine, mathematics and more.

Ancient Manuscripts

In this video Ali Ould Sidi shows us one of the ancient manuscript libraries in Timbuktu where 400-year old manuscripts are preserved.

Sudanese Madih (Praise Poetry)

Sheikh Al-Bur`i

A Breeze of Musk (Nafhatu Miskin) – Sudanese Arabic

Muhammad Majdhub

Click here for a translation of this poem.

The Mystics Are the People of Allah (As-Sufiyya Ahli-Llah)

Sheikh `Abdur-Rahim Al-Bur`i

The above Sudanese genre of madih an-Nabawi poetry is characterized by praise of the Prophet Muhammad and famous (Sudanese) saints affiliated with the mystical brotherhoods such as in the context of which this type of poetry flourished. The second poem is performed by the most famous Sudanese composer and performer of madih, Sheikh `Abdur-Rahman Al-Bur`i.

West-Africa: Praise for the Saints of the Muridiyya

Hamed Kane

Baye Fall – Wolof (Senegal)

Hamed Kane

Hamed Kane is a disciple of the mystical Baye Fall brotherhood of Senegal, and his music is closely related with the rituals of this brotherhood in which God is collectively remembered through chanting. Kane is a master in playing the traditional khin drums used during these rituals.

(source: http://www.wussu.com/hamedkane/welcome.htm)

Sheikh Mustapha Mbacké – Wolof (Senegal)

Boucounta Ndiaye

This is a praise song for one of the scholars of the Senegalese Muridiyya Brotherhood. The performer is one of the greatest living xalam players. The xalam is a lute-like traditional Senegalese instrument.

Baay Fall Praise Song – Wolof (Senegal)

Boudiabay Ndiaye

The Baay-Fall, followers of the Sufi mystic Amadou Bamba after the tradition of Cheikh Ibra Fall, use the sabar to accompany their religious praise songs, which they dedicate to their marabouts, or spiritual guides. The sabar is a type of drum and the most commonly used instrument in Senegal. In this recording, a Baay-Fall is accompanied by a mixed choir and by Boudiabay Ndiaye’s Baay-Fall sabar ensemble.

Maki Taara – Wolof (Senegal)

Samba Diabaré Samb

A classic Wolof song dedicated to the son of El Hadj Umar Tall, one of the great Senegalese resistance leaders of the 19th century. The xalam player is Samba Diabaré Samb.

The Baobab Tree of Bamba’s Murids (Guy i Murid Bamba)

Boudiabay Ndiaye

A song dedicated to Amadou Bamba, founder of Muridism. This is a good example of non-melodic, rap-like Wolof traditional music. Boudiabay Ndiaye and his Baay-Fall ensemble perform.

Youssou N'Dour

(Source of  last four songs: http://www.geocities.com/jbenhill/mp3.html)

A Song for Allah (Ughniyya Llah) – Wolof (Senegal)

Youssou N’Dour

Youssou N’Dour is one of the most celebrated modern African musicians and has acquired great fame all over the world with his mix of traditional Senegalese m’balax rhythms and Western musical genres. This song comes from his latest album, Egypt, which features Egyptian as well as Senegalese traditional musicians and is dedicated to the peace-loving Sufi tradition of his homeland.

Taraab and a Poem From the Swahili Coast

Poem (Qasweeda) – Swahili

This poem/prayer is chanted by a child. The melody shows a strong resemblance with Arabic poetry recital: the result of centuries of close contact between the Swahili coast and the Arab world.

Umbo Langu Dawa – Swahili

The prevalent indigenous music on the Swahili Coast is taraab. The primary influences are Omani, Persian African styles and Western music. The word taraab itself is from the Arabic, being conventionally defined as “joy, pleasure and entertainment brought about by an artistic combination of lyrics, poems and music.” Taraab is played with a large array of instruments from the ancient lute, sitar, and reed flute, to violins, accordions, and organs, to modern electric guitars and drum kits. Although the theme of taraab is often love, many of its songs also carry moral and religious lessons.

Islamic Songs From Nigeria

Father of the Bride (Baba Iyawo) – Yoruba (Nigeria)

Kamorudeen Aiyeloyur

Yoruba Islamic song traditionally sung at weddings of the Muslim community of southern Nigeria. The singer impersonates the father of the bride, advising her on the morals and ethics of marriage before she goes to her husband’s house. The song also emphasizes the importance of marriage in Islam and the attributes of a good marriage.

Reading the Holy Qur’an (Wolimo) – Yoruba (Nigeria)

Wasiu Kayode Sadiq

This is a genre of Yoruba religious song which is performed when children graduate from Qur’an school. It is of a didactic nature and talks about the importance of teaching and learning the Qur’an.

Songs From Darfur

Darfuri Girls

Darfuris: The Builders of Al-Khalawi: As-Salam Song (Video)

Dance and song by Darfuri girls in celebration of 1000 boys and girls graduating from a local Qur’an school.

Darfuris: The Builders of Al-Khalawi: Ar-Ratana Song (Video)

For more background information about these songs read Darfuris: The Builders of Al-Khalawi