Bikang 2010: performance 2 0303-20140228 - Bikang 2010: performance 2 Linguistic and ethnographic documentation aimed at identifying loci of cultural and linguistic reproduction in two communities speaking endangered Bantoid languages

This audio file was recorded in May 2010 during a field trip funded through a U.S. NSF project led by Jeff Good. The group of performers continues celebrating Bikang. The ritual is secret and, hence, it is forbidden to use any video recording device to record it. The documentation we have of Bikang is in the form of a continued sequence of sacred traditional songs, performed in a solo-choir configuration, accompanied by sounds produced by special and secret instruments. Since the microphone (and the foreign researchers) were obliged to remain inside a house in Ndin quarter, the recording also includes discussions held by the researchers with people who happened to visit them throughout the night of Bikang. These discussions were recorded as it was impossible to anticipate what could happen both inside and outside of the house: this suggested that the best way to document Bikang was to have the recorder work as long as possible without arbitrary interruptions. The strong beliefs in the magical power inherent in the Bikang secret instruments have pushed the village community to ask, through their chief, not to make this material audible to anyone. Language_Name: Ajumbu and Mungbam Language_Region: Africa Language_Country: Cameroon Project_Status: Ongoing Year: 2011 Start_Date: 2012-01-02 End_Date: 2013-01-02 from Ngun, Abar, Mufu, Buu, and Zhoa, though nobody came from the last two villages Title Bikang 2010: performance 2