Baka Music & Magic - The Technology of Enchantment - full documentary

Most of the literature on Baka music concentrates on their “spirit dances”. What is actually meant by “spirit” is rarely, if ever, mentioned in the literature. In English the language for such things as “spirit” and “enchantment” have been heavily influenced by 1000 years of Christianity and given negative connotations, so the true meanings of words get lost in translation.There seems to be an underlying inference that belief in “spirits” is a primitive animistic practice, rather than a rational interpretation of a real phenomenon that is indirectly revered in Western society in art, performance and sport, but which is never spoken about. The Baka call this mé.

With their combination of polyphonic singing, polyrhythmic percussion and masked dancers, the Baka are experts at manifesting mé. Each “Spirit Dance” creates its own unique emotions personified in the mé. By being present at these “spirit dances” from before they are born, aware of sounds and movements while still in their mother’s womb, Baka children grow up learning that the purpose of “musicking” is not about performing songs, but about manifesting mé for the good of all.
This film is based on Martin Cradick's dissertation for his MA at SOAS which he submitted as a podcast.

To help the Baka visit https://globalmusicexchange.org

00:00 Part One - Who are the Baka?
12:30 Part Two - The Mbouamboua Dance
25:00 Part Three - Yeli and Enchanting the Forest
37:30 Part Four - Who or What are Mé?
50:00 Part Five - Baka Music in the 21st Century

For references to sources see the individual episodes' info:
Part 1:    • Baka Music & The Technology of Enchantment...  
Part 2:    • Baka Music & The Technology of Enchantment...  
Part 3:    • Baka Music & The Technology of Enchantment...  
Part 4:    • Baka Music & The Technology of Enchantment...  
Part 5:    • Baka Music & The Technology of Enchantment...  

Music:
00:42 Distant Yeli, Baka Forest People, Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992
01:20 Solo yeli, Loni Julliene, Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992
01:57 Limbindi, Sangowe, Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992
03:05 Liquindi 1, Baka Baka Forest People, Voice of the Rainforest, https://bakagbine.bandcamp.com/album/...
04:10 Elephant Hunting Song, The Pygmies of the Ituri Forest, Orchard Music
06:09 Limbindi, Nahwia Helene, Martin Cradick field recordings February 2010
08:17 Ngòmbi Nà Péké, Bounaka Theophil, Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992
10:33 Djin Djang, Metouli Francis, Martin Cradick field recordings February 2018
12:45 Bouamboua Dance, Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992, ©2022 March Hare Music.
25:10 Baka women singing 'yeli', Martin Cradick field recordings February 1992, ©2022 March Hare Music.
27:35 Yeli 1, Heart of the Forest by Baka Forest People, WMG.
30:44 Yeli 2, Heart of the Forest by Baka Forest People, WMG.
38:39 Abale. Baka Forest People. Heart of the Forest. Hannibal Records
40:00 Bùma Dance. Baka Forest People. Martin Cradick field recordings Feb 2018
44:58 Abale Yeli. Baka Forest People. Martin Cradick field recordings Feb 1992
46:50 Topé Malangui Bodé. Baka Gbiné. Martin Cradick field recordings 2002
48:11 Mangissa. Aka Forest People. Echoes of the Forest. Ellipsis Arts
50:51 Les Problèmes by Prince Eyango. The Very Best of Prince Eyango. TJR Productions
51:40 Martin & Jerome by Pelembir Dieudonné. Martin Cradick's field recordings 2000
53:41 Boulez Boulez by Pelembir Dieudonné. Martin Cradick's field recordings 2000
56:06 Nawa by baka Gbiné. Gati Bongo. March Hare Music
57:43 Sidiko by baka Gbiné. Martin Cradick's field recordings 2009
59:22 Mabita Bella by baka Gbiné. Kopolo. March Hare Music
1:01:07 Tolo Ko Tolo (remix) by Baka Gbiné. Kopolo. March Hare Music

More Baka music at https://baka.gbine.com