World Music
Presentation
The Aka Pygmies
vs.
Guillaume de
Machaut
Hannah Youngwirth
Who are the Aka Pygmies?
 Southwestern
http://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=dZtxZ
5IWsJk
Central African
Republic and the Northern
Congo
 Smaller tribe of Mbenga tribe
 The Aka are nomadic huntergatherer tribes that reside
mainly in the rain forests.
Data of the Region
 15
different
tribes, app.
30,000 members
total
 Tight-knit
families, “world’s
best dad”
 The Aka speak
their own
language (Akais
Diaka , along
with the Bantu
of the
Influences
 Main
instruments are the enzeko (drum), a
harp-like geedale-bagongo, a flute-like
instrument known as the Hindewhu, and a
single string bow known as the melba. Rhythm:
hand-clapping and stomping.
 Isolation=more singing!
 Akais Diaka is characterized by three tones
Influences Cont.


Animistic religion, they worship Jengi and Luma
Religious Ceremonies for various occasions


Ceremonies include feasting, dancing, and singing.
They model the hunt.
 The
Polyphony
complex polyphonic music, combined
with the contrapuntal communal
improvisation, plays a significant role in the
lives of the tribe members.
 Polyphony: two or more independent melodic
voices
 Contrapuntal: the relationship between two
or more voices independent in contour,
rhythm, and harmony
The Polyphonic Improvisations of
the Aka
 The
Aka tribes sing to entertain and worship
 Yodeling + polyphonic contrapuntal phrases
based on four original voices, all sung at
different intervals.
 Accompanied by most commonly a “2 by 3”
rhythm pattern.
 Each singer includes their own improvisation
and different variations.
Aka Music Theory



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

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Melody: The polyphonic melodies begin to emerge as the
song continues, each new member of the song making
their own unique addition.
Medium: The medium begins with simply flute, then the
drums and vocals are introduced. As the song moves on,
the vocals take lead in the song.
Harmony: The harmonies are not planned, but rather
created as the musical improvisations continue.
Meter: 2 by 3 rhythm pattern
Form: The form is improvised, following the traditional
ritualistic pattern
Style: The style is tribal gathering instrumental
improvisations
Context: Tribal chanting in which the vocal variations
make use of different techniques, rhythms, and tones.
Guilluame de
Machaut





Leading composer of the Middle Ages
Composed sacred and secular music
He was born in Rheims, Champagne
He was Secretary/Canon to the king
Also a talented poet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=DALBMRwsfxo
His Music
 Secular
work pertains to courtly
love
 Sacred music is cyclic with no
tonal center or extended melodic
theme
 Fueled the Ars Nova
Movement
Prominent Works
 His
motets showcase his
expansion of harmonies to contain
more intervals of the 3rd and 6th.
 Best known for the Messe de
Nostre Dame, the earliest known
setting of Mass belonging to one
composer.
 This is composed of the Kyrie,
Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus
Dei, and Ite missa est.
Messe de Nostre Dame
 “Mass
of Our Lady”-a polyphonic and isorythmic mass
 The five movements are the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo,
Sanctus, and Agnus Dei, followed by the dismissal Ite,
missa est.
 Translates: Cry, Glory Be to God, I Believe, Holy,
Lamb of God, and Go, Be Dismissed
“Messe” Music Theory

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Melody: The melody is shared between a four-voiced mass,
and Machaut’s use of polyphony leads to each voice singing
different tunes, contrasting harmonically.
Medium: Voice (4 male voices)
Harmony: The polyphony leads to each voice acting as a
contrasting harmony to the other
Meter: isorythmic pulse
Form: Follows the “standard” mass format
Style: Mass/Sacred
Context: Used to open the Mass
Text: Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy)
In Comparison,



Akas composes for recreation, Machaut
composes for profit
Akas have limited resources, Machaut has many
different instruments and singers available
Machaut has to consider the appeal to the
audience
 Both are polyphonic
 Aka improvise thorughout the work, the messe
singers enter as one body
 Machaut uses isorythm, Akas have a 2 by 3
rhythm pattern
 Both write for entertainment as well as religion
 Music is a way of life
Just For Funsies…
 Learn
to Chant like a Pygmy
References:

"Aka Forest People." Youtube. Youtube, 06 Jul 2009. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVPieyKv8M&feature=related>.

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"The Polyphonic Singing of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa." Youtube. Youtube, 26 Sep 2009. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKLxFmnYO_I>.
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"Aka people." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 01 Nov 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aka_people>.
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"Mbuti people." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 13 Oct 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbuti>.
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"Pygmy Music." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 12 Oct 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_music>.
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"Baka people (Cameroon and Gabon)."Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 01 Nov 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baka_(Cameroon_and_Gabon)>.
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"Messe de Nostre Dame." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 06 May 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messe_de_Nostre_Dame>.
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Luis, Mauro. "Aka Pymgies."Pygmies.Org. Pymgies.Org, 07 Nov 2011. Web. 07 Nov 2011. <http://www.pygmies.org/aka/>.
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"Polyphonic singing of the Aka Pygmies." ETHNIKKA. ETHNIKKA, 17 Apr 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://www.ethnikka.org/2011/04/polyphonic-singing-ofaka-pygmies.html>.
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"The Polyphonic Singing of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa."UNESCO. UNESCO, 2008. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00082>.
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"Aka ." Countries and Their Culture. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Brazil-to-Congo-Republic-of/Aka.html>.
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Schmidt-Jones, Catherine. "Music Texture." Music Theory. CNX.Org, n.d. Web. 6 Nov 2011. <http://www.aboutmusictheory.com/music-texture.html>.
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McComb, Todd. "Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377)." Medieval. N.p., 06 Nov 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/composers/machaut.html>.
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Kaplan, Mitchell. "The Fourteenth Century Composer." Classical Forums. Classical Forums, 24 jul 2006. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://www.classicalforums.com/articles/Fourteenth_Century_Composer.html>.
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"Guillaume de Machaut." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 6 Nov 2011.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/354543/Guillaume-de-Machaut>.