Agwagas July 10, 1972 - 8B Tierlul

Recording #8B

Place of Recording: Tierlul

Date of Recording: July 10, 1972

Performance:

Informant: Paul Abulla

Date of Transcript: July 29, 1972; Direct conversation

1 000 Love Song.

Information: Much repeating. Very popular song.

Text: Why don’t you tell me if you refuse me? I may get a better one.

2 049 Agwaga.

Information: From Tede. Against village, Ojello (Ojallo) In Ethiopia, Tede defeated first and second time, but third time defeated Ojallo and killed many. About 8 or 9 years ago.

Text: Mentions the names of the people who were very strong at that time.

3 135 Agwaga.

Information: From Tedo. Fellow working in shop in Gambela. Fellow who killed his father went to Gambela to buy something and he discovered that this was the fellow who killed his father, so he killed him with his spear. This man then went to Tedo and this song is written about the death of that fellow. About 7 years ago.

4 180 Agwaga.

Information: Song against Aodongo. From Tedo. Went to Adongo with the Anyanya and attacked and defeated them.

Text: Mentioned the names of those killed from the other side, the side of Adongo.

5 218 Agwaga.

Information: Those of Adongo were boasting about attacking Tedo but they did not attack them. This song is from Tedo.

Text: Nobody should boast for war. Anybody who boasts for war let him go to the field where people are buried. Don’t boast among the ladies (happens when drunk).

6 232 Agwaga.

Information: Mentions the names of the song. Probably from Tedo.

Text: There are some strong people among us who would not listen to someone’s advice to leave the war.

7 297 Agwaga.

Information: From Cham.

Text: We fight who this who are not as strong, and we defeat them. Don’t boast. We will see which side will be defeated. We fight with the Nuers.

8 322 Dancing Song.

Information: Song from Ajwara. Mentioning the name of the king, Obano. Written long ago.

Text: We’re begging him. Singing about his kindness. Boasting at the end.

9 386 Dancing Song.

Information: From Tedo.

Text: Mentioning a certain person, saying that there is nobody like him. He is the strongest fellow.

10 427 Dancing Song.

Information: Mentioning names of those that are in their age group.

11 438 Dancing Song.

Information: From Ajwara. Certain lady from Ajwara was taken by certain fellow from another village. 15 or 20 years old. Sounds at end to show the happiness of the people.

Text: Song says, why don’t he come back.

ANUAK Project: FIELD NOTES – July 10, 1972

Retyped: June 7, 2019

12:45 Arrive in Tierlul on the first day of the second week of research.

1:00 Action begins with Olieng Ojulo a 21-year-old composer singing songs he has written to the accompaniment of the tin can-drum. He is assisted with a 25-year-old friend, Okach Ajiba a refugee from the Sudan. Olieng is from Gaag (Pron. Gawk) about 40 miles away. He is a well-known composer, his grandfather being first a composer and now he follows in his grandfather footsteps. Composing is like a job to him and he writes for pleasure. He receives no pay for his songs. These two men sing separately and together for one hour. The songs sung are basically for dancing.

2:00 Young boy who has sung previously sings again, very clearly and melodiously to his own drum accompaniment.

2:10 Young girl about 15 years of age sings briefly.

2:15 2 girls sing again (sung extensively on previous tape) in antiphonal style. Olieng accompanies them on the drum.

3:10 We move into a mud and thatched house to get away from the sound of the grain mill motor. Alam Omot sings war songs. People around in the house greatly enjoy the songs especially laughing at the insults as they are sung. 7 boys and 5 girls are in the room. When others know the songs, they join in softly. All enjoy them freely. Ladies are attracted to the singing and come in and sing with the tape and/or sit in the doorway.

4:00 We return to Pokwo. Day is profitable with a continued abundance of material being heard. Sorting of the material into logical and meaningful categories awaits doing and further collecting.