dununba age groups

[Carl]

I think I mentioned this list a while back, but I just found it in my notes!

When Famoudou Konate discusses "dununba" music (the style not the instrument) he has often mentioned that the men/boys are divided by age and the dununba is sometimes used to move up in age group. Basically, you "challenge" your way into the next group up by dancing a dununba and being whipped etc.

here is the list of age groups that I wrote down in 2006, Portland, Me. Youngest group listed first:

Barati - (1st group of Hamana)

Baradomo - (Little Brother)

Baramameren - (3rd group)

Kondenba - (Mask associated with this group; Toro songs associated with this group, there are 7 rhythms in this group, approx. the age for Soli ritual)

Kondenden
Konden Den Makono
Konkoson
Timbadapa
Nanfadimanen

We didn't discuss the last 5 age groups, he just had them listed on a sign, we discussed the 1st 4 groups a bit, then he taught Toro.

Can anyone back me up on this? any more details? This is just from my hand-written notes, I haven't reviewed the recording...

Other than that, busy as hell!

Carl

[e2c]

I wonder about Kadan: what age are the kids who dance to that? (Ballpark.)

Very interesting topic!

[guedom]

wow i think the same than e2c very interesting topic Carl.

Timbadapa look like the call of dunun rhythms -basatimbadaba-.

Tanamasi told me that a basatimbadaba is a gecko.

[Carl]

Sorry to be so brief and inaccurate, but I am doing this from memory as I work on some (unfortunately) more pressing issues...

Kondenba, my note said "around the age of Soli" so that would be 10 - 14 years (roughly)

I remember that the oldest age for these groups is something like 25 years (after that you do not "need" to dance a dununba for status... or something like that.) I do not know if Nanfadimanen would be when you turn 25 or that you leave Nanfadimanen when you turn 25 (or so...)

Since I found this note, I now know which recording has the talk and I will try to get around to listening to it this summer. Hate to leave you hanging...

Anyone out there able to "get me off the hook" on this one? Anyone?

C

[michi]

According to Mamady's book, the 20 to 25 year olds are called "Baratigi", and the 15 to 20 year olds are called "Baramakono".

It's interesting that Famoudou's list doesn't include either of these. Mamady's book doesn't contain any information about the names of the other age groups. I also checked "Mande Music", but didn't find anything there. Anyone have suggestions for where else there might be information about traditional dundunbas?

Thanks,

Michi.

[Dugafola]

the liner notes of this CD has some good information:
http://middlepathmedia.com/anbada.html

[michi]

the liner notes of this CD has some good information:
http://middlepathmedia.com/anbada.html

Thanks for the link, Duga!

Could you summarize what the notes say about the Dundunba age groups?

Cheers,

Michi.

[Dugafola]

if i can find the actual CD, i'll try to post a summary.

i'm fairly certain that its not as detailed as the FK account that Carl mentioned.

[michi]

Found something in the liner notes for "Rhythmen Der Malinke". It says that the Barati are the oldest age group.

Carl, is it possible that your list is inverted, and that it's oldest to youngest?

Michi.

[Carl]

Carl, is it possible that your list is inverted, and that it's oldest to youngest?

Quite possible... the "first of Hamana" might refer to status rather than age.
Sadly I do not see any time in the near future to verify this. I'm buried right now. I will get to it at some point though...

If anyone has the ear of Famadou or anyone else from the region, I'd love more feedback!

~C

Speaking of Famadou, anyone hear about his health lately? (I'm skimming the list, so if I missed any updates, please forgive my ignorance)

[Dugafola]

Speaking of Famadou, anyone hear about his health lately? (I'm skimming the list, so if I missed any updates, please forgive my ignorance)

i heard he's fine. tip top.

[michi]

I was told the same thing in San Diego: he's doing just fine.

Cheers,

Michi.

[Djembe-nerd]

The information on Mamdy's CD Hamanah says this :

The circles of men or boys are formed around the tree, each cicle representing a social or age group (kare). The BARATI, the masters of the BARA form the group that assumes responsibility for the smooth running of the festivities. They are the first to dance, and no one else can use the bara without their agreement.

The hieraarchies between the kare or between the individuals are given their expression in the dance, with personal conflicts being also regulated in a formalized manner with blows of the manin fosson, a ridding crop woven from hippopotomus skin, to the sound of the drums. The BARATINGI, the eldest of the youth in the village, demonstrate their courage by provoking their younger colleagues, the BARADOGONO.

[Carl]

Update:

Just found ANOTHER set of notes....

Youngest:
Nanfadimaden

Then:
Timbadapa
Konkoson den
Konkoson ba

Konden Makonon (Soko is in this group)
Konden den
Konden Ba (Torro in this group/age of circumcision)

The last three are "adults"
Bara Mamaren
Bara domo
Barati (1st Gen.) the Barati own the instruments!

Over 34 rhythms "belong" to the 1st Gen. (Barati)

Back into the woodwork...

C

[michi]

Awesome, thanks for that! It's starting to hang together now

Cheers,

Michi.