Abayudaya - Music from the Jewish People of Uganda

by ABAYUDAYA: MUSIC FROM JEWISH PE

Overview

In many parts of the world, the Jewish tradition dates back centuries. In Uganda, however, it's quite recent, less than 100 years old. The Abayudaya community was actually formed in 1919 by a military leader who'd been exposed to Judaism and developed a literal interpretation of the Old Testament. The Abayadaya (which means "the Jewish people") only had sporadic contact with other Jews, and so their knowledge of Jewish prayers and their settings was fragmentary, although over time that's grown. The group was persecuted by the Idi Amin regime, but has remained, and this music reflects the collision of Jewish and Ugandan cultures. It's a fascinating mix, to hear prayers like "Adon Olam" sung with ineffable harmonies. There's so much joy here on Abayudaya - Music From the Jewish People of Uganda that it doesn't seem religious -- there's an underlying seriousness, as befits anything sacred, but the voices burst out of the speakers, and on those tracks with accompaniment, there's simply the feel of a village enjoying itself, singing. It's wonderful, infectious stuff, and even the solo voices seem to barely contain the pleasure. Sociology meets religion, and everyone's a winner. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/21/2003
Label:	SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS
UPC:	0093074050422

Tracks

1. Psalm 136
2. Katonda Oyo Nalimana (God Is All-Knowing)
3. Hiwumbe Awumba (God Creates and Then Destroys)  - Michael Mawoni
4. Mwana Talitambula (The Child Will Never Walk)  -  Traditional
5. Mwana, Ngolera (Baby, Keep Quiet)
6. Tulo, Tulo (Sleep, Sleep)
7. I Am a Soldier
8. Mi Khamokhah (Who Is Like You, O God?)  - Aaron Kintu Moses
9. Kabbila (The Patch of Forest)  -  Traditional
10. Twagala Torah (We Love the Torah)
11. We Are Happy  - Gershom Sizomu
12. Adon Olam (Master of the World)  - Gershom Sizomu
13. Lekhah, Dodi (Come, My Beloved)
14. Psalm 92
15. Psalm 93
16. Kiddush and Motzi (Sabbath Blessing Over Wine and Bread)
17. Psalm 121
18. Maimuna
19. Hinei Ma Tov (Behold How Good It Is for Brothers to Dwell Together)
20. Ali Omu Yekka (My Only One)
21. Psalm 150
22. Deuteronomy 32:8 (Song Two, Selection)
23. Deuteronomy 32:39-43 (Song Eight)
24. Psalm 130

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Norah Nantabo   Vocals
Rena Bat Esther   Vocals
Devorah   Vocals
Phyllis Nafuna   Vocals
Aaron Naome   Vocals
Nasenyi Community   Vocals
Jacob Mwosuko   Vocals
Seth Ben Jonadav   Vocals
Tziporah Naisi   Vocals
Aaron Kintu Moses   Vocals
John Mark Nkoola   Vocals,Keyboards
Michael Mawoni   Adunqu,Vocals
Abayudaya Schoolchildren   Vocals
Enosh Keki Mainah   Vocals
Samson Mugombe   Vocals
Bagisu Women   Vocals
Richard Kasakya   Guitar,Vocals
J.J. Keki   Vocals,Musical Director
Uri Katula   Vocals
Rachel Namudosi   Vocals
Eria Majanga   Vocals

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Sonya Cohen Cramer   Layout Design,Design
Pete Reiniger   Mastering,Sound Supervision
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Dennis Bogere   Translation,Transcription
Margot Nassau   Production Coordination
Norah Nantabo   Group Member
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu   Composer
Aaron Kintu Moses   Composer,Group Member
Jacob Love   Editorial Assistant
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Aaron Naome   Group Member
Jacob Mwosuko   Group Member
Seth Ben Jonadav   Group Member
Tziporah Naisi   Group Member
Abayudaya Congregation   Group
Carla Borden   Editorial Assistant
John Mark Nkoola   Group Member
Semei Kakungulu   Adaptation
Michael Mawoni   Composer
Enosh Keki Mainah   Group Member
Richard Kasakya   Group Member
J.J. Keki   Translation,Group Member,Transcription
Uri Katula   Group Member
Rachel Namudosi   Group Member
Jeffrey A. Summit   Producer,Annotation
Eria Majanga   Group Member
John Servies   Engineer