Music of the Nubians, Northern Sudan

The northeastern portion of Africa known as the Sudan is an area that has endured terrible warfare and suffering in recent decades with a horrific humanitarian crisis taking place now amid famine and violence.  Moreover, the gutting of USAID makes the situation much worse and the need for the people there even more acute and urgent.

The history and culture of the Sudan is incredibly ancient and rich, including its music, and this post features a two-disc set, released in 1998 on compact disc and 1980 on vinyl, by the Staatlische Museen zu Berlin, an institution under the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, celebrating the music of the Nubian people of Northern Sudan.

The recordings date to 1973 and 1974 with the kisir (lyre) being the dominant musical instrument along with a frame drum called the taar.  Clapping and the stamping of feet are also used to accompany singing, whether soloists, small ensembles and large groups and the 33 songs are representative of such themes as religion, patriotism, work in the fields, lullabies for children, weddings and many others.

There is a great booklet with thirteen photographs and detailed text by Artur Simon discussing Sudanese history, culture and specifics about the music, instrumentation and the varied pieces.  A second booklet includes musical transcriptions and the lyrics.  These are valuable enhancements to a fascinating listening experience, especially as Simon observes that a lack of instrumentation, compared to Western nations, is hardly a lack of musical expression, which is abundant on this memorable recording.