Spirit of Sound exhibition on at the Museum

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday October 31, 2008 00:00

 

According to the organisers of the 'Spirit of Sound', 'African music is as old as its people and woven into the very fabric of traditional culture'.

They also assert that music has also been an essential part of how we communicate, celebrate and worship, expressed through the playing of musical instruments and dancing.

We normally take it for granted when we use music for different purposes but this is mainly due to the fact that it has become an integral part of our lives. Our people use music as a medium to express themselves. When they are in mourning people sing to express their sorrow and when they are celebrating, they also sing to express their happiness.

From time immemorial Batswana and other Africans have used music to summon each other to hunting expeditions and wars. All this, one gets to learn from the information panels displayed alongside the instruments. Curiously, maboko (praise-poems) are also listed as part of music. While I concede that I learnt much from the information panels, I beg to differ that praise-poetry is a form of music. It's an art form yes, but not music at all.

But then again, the exhibition showcases a lot of other things that are thought-provoking and perhaps even before deciding whether an item displayed is a musical instrument, one should look at the theme, which seeks to celebrate the spirit of sound in general and this suggests that anything that makes sound is musical.

It is apparent that the National Museum did their research and interestingly as mentioned before some forms of unconventional musical instruments have been included in the exhibition.

Who would have thought that the rhythm made by women as thrashing grains (ba photha) at masimo (ploughing-fields) would be regarded as a form of music? How about the sound of a traditional sweeping-broom as it swishes against the ground?

Some of the displayed items worth checking out at this informative exhibition are the ongoma (traditional Wayei/ Basubiya drum) that is used during ceremonies. The drum is played by men and it is hung around either the neck or the waist as it's played both hands beating it.

Many of us do not think of mathoa (cocoon rattles) as 'musical instruments' but then again if one contemplates seriously, he/she realises how true is that. Mathoa are popular music enhancers that have been used by both men and women in traditional dance.

Batswana have their own 'violin' in the form of segaba/sebanjoro. The legendary Ratsie Setlhako who happens to be one of the foremost musicians that this country has ever produced made Sebaga famous. Segaba, also known as katara ya Setswana is normally played by a solo artist for public entertainment. Sadly segaba players of note are literally dying out and hopefully the exhibition will inspire the revival of this instrument.

Another musical instrument to check out at the exhibition is a Bakgatla initiation drum that is said to be over a hundred years old. The National Museum borrowed the drum from Phuthadikobo Museum in Mochudi. The drum was used during girls' initiation ceremony (bojale).

Seditse/intjira (a whisk) is also displayed at the museum as part of music and truly so because in many traditional dance-styles it is used by males to woo a potential dance partner. In other traditional occasions noble men carry it as a symbol of prestige.

Ever heard of a talking drum? Well there is one displayed at the museum. The drum, which is said to 'produce peculiar sound which resembles a talking person,' is from West Africa. In one encasement there is nyele/tsodilo (bark-flute), lengwane (bone-flute), leqhoma (non-rigged musical bow) and nkobowane (musical stick). Lengwane is made from a goats shinbone.

Setinkane/ndingo/mbira (thumb piano) is undisputedly one of the most beautiful traditional instruments produced in the country. The components of the instrument are a wooden sound-table fitted with steel keys. According to the organizers of the exhibition, it is originally a Hambukushu musical instrument and that the word setinkane is the corruption of 'tin-can resonator'. Apart from Hambukushu, the San are also fond of setinkane.

Lonaka also known as phafala has been used by different Batswana merafe for different purposes. Babirwa, Batlokwa, Balete and Bakgatla sometimes infuse the sound of lonaka in their traditional dances. It has also been used to call people either to the kgotla or to war.

This writer was surprised to learn that the Batswapong use dipotomente (wooden/metal trunks) as musical instruments. It is said that they play it while celebrating young girls' first menstruation.

Some creative Batswana have also learnt the art of drying some gourds and fruits with seed inside to make some rattles. One such rattle is made from mogorogorwana fruit, which is mostly found in the Central District.

Displayed also is the tree-bark/plank shoes that are used for the otjina, a ceremonial dance. The oversized shows are made from the moporoto or mochaba tree and are meant to enhance music.

Though marimba (xylophones and beaters) does not originate in this country, they have become popular in recent years so it was not surprising to see them displayed.

One of the most beautiful instruments displayed at the museum is the kayaora, which is a stringed musical instrument with a small drum played in accompaniment of sung music. It is the invention of a resident of Etsha 6, Mavaye Kayabitho.

Interestingly, also displayed are some instruments that do not originate in Africa, but the museum has chosen only classical ones.

A couple of laptops are also on standby to provide information and allow visitors to sample some of the traditional music.

Although this writer has attempted to cover most musical instruments displayed at the museum, they are too many to mention and the best thing for one to do is to visit this exceptional exhibition.

Apart from lovers of music and art researchers from all levels would find it insightful.