Birifor Bori: Bori Music of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire GCIA Collective
This recording features Birifor musicians Tijan Dorwana from Ghana, and Gindar Chofitey from Côte d’Ivoire presenting the music of the Birifor Bori celebration. As the Birifor in both countries are geographically isolated, this recording is the first to showcase the virtuosity required to perform the Bori music, but also to highlight the differences between the separated communities. Audio examples can be heard under Media
CDs can be ordered here
Please download a free copy of the complete liner notes!
Enjoy!!
Searching for Orifa: Birifor Funeral Music from Ghana featuring Tijan Dorwana and Mike Vercelli
Our new CD recording of the complete Birifor funeral music is now available! This CD is the first to record the Birifor funeral music in a studio setting and include the Na Kpan Bine, a special piece for the Birifor hunters. Audio samples are under the Media
CDs can be ordered here
Please download a free copy of the complete liner notes!
Searching for Orifa Liner Notes
Enjoy!!
Sounds of the Desert: Liga Gyil
Sounds of the Desert: Liga Gyil is a collaborative project featuring master Dagara gyil virtuoso Bernard Woma and Mike Vercelli. The gyil heard in this recording is a traditional 18-key Dagara instrument, rarely heard in the US. This particular instrumen was graciously loaned for this recording by Dr. Steve Hemphill, percussion director at Northern Arizona University. Audio samples can be heard under Media.
CDs can be ordered Here
Please download a free copy of the complete liner note!
Sounds of the Desert Liner Notes
Enjoy!!
Gyil
The Dagara-Birifor gyil is a fourteen-key xylophone constructed from the locally grown rosewood (Dalbergia Melanoxylon) or nirra in the Birifor language and dry gourd resonators fastened together with goat or antelope hide. A thin fibrous paper or spider cocoons covering small holes in the gourd resonators creates the instrument’s characteristic buzzing sound. Tuning the bars takes considerable skill and a small hand ax. Two varieties of instruments exist and are discernable by their tuning: the kogyil used exclusively for funerals are tuned to pentatonic scale; and the bogyil, used for primarily for festivals and recreation is tuned to a tetratonic scale (B-flat, D-flat, E-flat, G-flat).
I have been studying gyil with master musicians Bernard Woma and Tijan Dorwana since 2002. I am currently working on several gyil projects including collaborative recordings with Mr. Woma and Mr. Dorwana.
Publications
My D.M.A. Document contains many detailed transcriptions of Dagara and Birifor music:
This article addresses issues of ritual communication for the modern percussionist:
Ritual Communication Through Percussion: Identity and Grief Governed by Birifor Gyil Music
Accompanying Instruments
The gangaa and lar drums typically accompany a gyil performance. More research will be posted here on these instruments soon!
Gangaa drum
Lar drums