Ababeramuco Ensemble – Made in Gatagara: Music from Rwanda (Antonovka Records, 2022)
Made in Gatagara: Music from Rwanda presents field recordings of traditional Rwandan music band Ababeramuco (The Traditionalists. The band members live in the southwest region of Rwanda in the village of Gatagara and neighboring settlements. They get together to play joyful folk music.
The album presents a set of ensemble and solo performances. In addition to vocals, the musicians use various Rwandan traditional music instruments such as umuduri (musical bow), iningiri (one string fiddle), inanga (cither), and ikembe (lamellophone).
Commentaries for some songs:
“Umunyana and Rubabaza” is a song typically performed on the eve of a wedding, when the bride and groom separately prepare themselves.
“Ford Car” — my beloved left in a Ford car.
“Hated One” — literal meaning of the song title: “The man whom the others did not want to live.”
“Song About Journey to Uganda” — One went to Uganda, then returned. Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.
“Nyirantabire (Woman’s Name)” — She cooked fish for the whites, but they did not like it. Even a dog refused it.
“Bigabo, Son of Njyanama” is performed in a whispering style, which is more distinctive of Burundi. Gatagara, however, is not far from Burundi.
Musicians: Gerard Rusatsi on umuduri, vocals; Silvain Mutabaruka on iningiri, vocals; Vianey Mushabizi on inanga, vocals; Godefroid Ayirwanda on ikembe, vocals.
Author: Tyler Bennet
