January 5-9
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Congo (Republic Of)
Andeng Etaba - Mvet (1:33) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wbYRk8Rz7U) Etaba is from Cameroon. Meet is also a very important instrument in Congo. Here is a demo.
Les Tambours de Brazza-Balafon (4:10) (Edited from film found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLaDLWmkFcs) Les Tambours is a Congolese rhythm group. Here a member of the group demonstrates playing the balafon.
Jean Serge Essous-Philosophie (6:41) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQnl6pFS96c&list=RDMQnl6pFS96c&start_radio=1) Jean Serge Essous was a Congolese saxophonist, clarinetist, and cofounder of multiple important groups and bands. He was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2006.
January 12-16
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-São Tomé and Princípe
This country is a thorough mix of African culture and the colonizing influence of Portugal.
Tchiloli (0:54) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xny3wBQ4-9Q) Tchiloli is a dance performance from São Tomé and Príncipe that tells a story through music and movement.
Ússua (2:41) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD82VbvEb3U) This is a traditional rhythm/music. In all the videos I found that strut with the hands to lapels for the men seems to the the principal thing.
Dêxa Beat or Dêxa Music-Princípe (2:48) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ7ixjPCHO4&list=RDFJ7ixjPCHO4&start_radio=1) This is the traditional music of the island of Príncipe.
Calema-Vai (5:55) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nhwI9npcv8&list=RDEMsRcVeN-qog1q8YCxC_1Z9Q&index=17) Calema is a popular duo (brothers) from São Tomé and Príncipe
January 19-23
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Eritrea
Kraar-Lyre instrument (1:59) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2487oIFIeLM) the kraar is a very popular Eritrean instrument. I found lots of videos. I like this one-these three musicians are selling beles ( a type of fruit) and jamming on the street to attract customers.
Tigringa or Tigrinya Dancing (0:34) (found at https://youtube.com/shorts/GxXuw-Y6xS0?si=84s4OBmecmbmPY7c) Tigringa is a very popular dance form that involves shoulder, head and chin movements with a distinctive sway. I found this short tutorial video and lots of videos showing groups doing the dance.
Tsehaytu Beraki (2:50) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1bcMNoUBY4&list=RDN1bcMNoUBY4&start_radio=1) Tsehaytu Beraki was a very influential and popular musician, poet, political activist and kraar player.
Bereket Mengisteab-Bereka Adey (7:10) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tZZH83xAk&list=RDm4tZZH83xAk&start_radio=1) Gayla music is the traditional Eritrean music played at weddings and social events. Mengisteab is known as the Godfather of Guyla Music. Here he performs his song Bereka Adey.
January 26-30 (Tuesday is a NID-District)
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian Wedding Dance (1:05) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZsYtSVaTW0) I just really liked this video I found of a wedding dance!
Traditional Folk Music (0:59) (found at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MlEKFy-x0oY) Some traditional folk singing and drumming.
Mohammed Abdo-Asmar Abar (4:20) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRs-saCIazs&list=RDgRs-saCIazs&start_radio=1) Abdo is a Saudi singer and composer. He has been described as 'The Artist of the Arabs' and remains very influential.
Tariq Abdulhakeem (2:20) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSF5afRasE&list=RDCiSF5afRasE&start_radio=1) Abdulhakeem is considered the 'architect of modern Saudi song' and was a prolific composer. There is a cultural centre with his name in Jeddah.
Misty, Dish Dash featuring Ebla-Aywa Aywa (4:07) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBgbyC-aJp4&list=RDjBgbyC-aJp4&start_radio=1) Here's a piece of modern electronic music from Saudi Arabia. Dish Dash are a popular electronic music duo. For this song they collaborate with Egyptian DJ Misty and Syrian vocalist Ebla.