Bougarabou Bracelets

[bretcohen]

Hey everyone,

I have been searching and searching for the bracelets that the bougarabou players in Casamance use. The ones with the four little long bells on each wrist. Does anyone know where I can get ahold of these? Any insight would be HUGELY appreciated.

Peace,
Bret

[bubudi]

i think those are going to be quite hard to get, unless you go to cassamance or have good contacts there. they are basically metal bells that are fixed onto a bracelet. the djola call them siwanga. you could try making your own version. there is a variety worn around the ankles by indian classical dancers, called ghungroo. i've seen those in market stalls and shops.

if you're thinking of making siwanga, here's a video where you can see them close up.

[bretcohen]

Thanks Bubudi,

I appreciate the insight. Didn't know they were called siwanga. The video you posted is a good one. It's actually the first of a series that I found that made me insanely interested in this. I've actually already been in touch with Seku, the man playing in that video. He told me that he would find out for me but I haven't heard from him in a good while now. The ghungroos are beautiful little bells and I have made myself some wrist and ankle shakers so far using them as well as Ekpiri shells and sleigh bells. Gungroos are great but better as a compliment for quieter instruments like frame drums etc. The sleigh bells are great also and I am using them all the time now. I know that siwanga are much more cutting and rhythmically definitive.

Anyway, I will keep looking. Worst case scenario is I guess I will have to travel there. Thanks again for the insight.

Peace,
Bret

[e2c]

These bells (siwanga) sound like they're made of iron... ghungroos are made from other metals and have a very different tonality. (I think partly because they're made to emphasize subtle dance footwork, not to be played like the siwanga.)

Bret, if you do find more info. - or a source for these - could you post back? I'm interested in finding some of these bells myself...

many thanks!
e.

[freefeet]

I'd be very interested in a source as well. Currently using ksink ksink on my boug. but it'd be much nicer to have the bells.

[bretcohen]

Will do guys. I won't forget you asked. Hopefully I will find a way before too long.