Shots & Interviews
/The day after the mwan goba ceremony, Mike and I were to interview and record the Vuur family. While we waited for our bath water to warm on the fire, we walked to one of the brother's house. After we arrived at the home we were given shots of akpeteshie for a welcome, and the brother brought a gyil that was 100 to 200 years old. This was the xylophone which El Vuur used throughout his life. A truly amazing instrument which Mike was able to photograph (I left my camera behind not thinking). After about an hour at the brother's, we headed back home to bath and prepare for the interviews.
The interview would be focused on the mwan goba ceremony. From this interview we would then record and discuss Birifor funeral music. By late morning, one more round of shots was offered, libations poured and the interview began. For the next hour we discussed all aspects of the mwan goba ceremony. We learned the origin and maintenance of the shrine and the effects the ceremony has on the individual. Mike and myself also learned about minute details surrounding the ceremony and various hypothetical situations, such as what is to be done if the shrine was accidentally destroyed. All of this can be seen by following the link below.
After learning about the mwan goba ceremony, we began recording and discussing gyil music. First we recorded Mwan Vuur. Mwan is a stellar player, and for many listeners a way to remember his father's music. For this performance, Vuur family and friends accompanied mwan, playing through every section of Birifor funeral music. Mwan also showed what musical changes are made depending on the gender of the deceased. Occasionally Mike and I would ask questions whileDorwana would draw our attention to specific aspects of the music. Once Mwan finished the complete cycle of funeral music, a second gyil player started the whole process again. While I forget his name, this player was not from the Vuur family, and showed Mike and I a second way to play the same music. Since all Birifor music is learned aurally, and often just from observing from afar, each player will have a unique style or "hand". By the time all of these recordings were finished it was late in the afternoon. With these hours of interviews and recording the amount of information is still being absorbed to this day, and for the beginning of trip signaled just how much I would learn throughout my stay.
