This article is about music. For the vehicle manufacturer, see FAMO.
Famo is a type of music from Lesotho in Africa consisting of singing accompanied by the accordion, a drum and occasionally a bass. It originated in the drinking dens of migrant workers from Lesotho trying to relax after working in the mines in the 1920s but is now a popular form of music for Sesotho speakers.
As a very popular form of music in Lesotho,[1]famo consists of male or female singing and ululations. Instrumental support comes from an accordion, a drum and a bass. Songs often refer to urban life, and female singers can use their singing to challenge their male counterparts.[1]
Historyedit
The introduction of Basotho migrant labour from Lesotho into South African mines in the 1920s led to the development of famo.[2] It originated in the setolotolo bow songs that the menfolk would sing as they walked along, alternating between the bow to fill in the chorus and the voice as the lead part.[1] With the introduction of European instruments, the korosetina (concertina) and koriana (accordion) were adopted. The concertina was initially favoured as it could be played whilst singing and was easily carried but the accordion was eventually favoured for its bigger sound which was better for dancing.[1]
The music and singing combination of famo was performed in the shebeens where the workers drank and chatted and also down in the mines whilst they toiled.[1] The name famo came from the phrase ho re famo, to flare the nostrils or to throw up one's garments.[2] The dancing girls who had followed the men to South Africa and entertained them in the shebeens perfected a dance with their short skirts that allowed them to artfully flick up the skirt, exposing their naked rear.[3] The performers were careful not to wear underwear.[2]
In 1963 reforms to South African regulations meant the repatriation of thousands of women and famo performers and shebeen danceers were forced back to Lesotho.[3] This encouraged the creation of ensembles that were rounded out by a drummer. The moropa drum they used was a 20-litre tar can topped by a piece of inner tube as the drumhead, with manyenenyene, metal bottle tops or jangles, to provide a jingling alternative to the thump of the drum.[2][3] The drumsticks themselves were made from slices of tire.[2][3]
Since the 1920s music companies had been looking for African music they could commercialise.[2] What turned the music of the shebeens into a national music for the Basotho was the rise of major recording personalities amongst the famo ensembles.[3]
Artistsedit
In the late 1960s the first major recording artists to make a living from famo were Tau ea Matšekha (Lion of Matšekha, Matšekheng/Habo Matšekha is an area in Northern Lesotho) made up of Forere Motloheloa (accordionist) and Apollo Ntabanyane (vocalist/composer).[3] The pair met and honed their musical act in the mines and shebeens but their success with albums such as Peete Kea Falla (Peete's Place I'm Quitting) released by EMI led Ntabanyane to leave and set up his own group. In 1974 he even declared himself "King of Famo" at a concert at Maseru's Airport Hotel that was attended by Her Majesty 'MaMohato, wife of Lesotho's King Moshoeshoe II.[3] Later successful artists include David Sello Motaung's Tau ea Linare in the 1980s[2] and southern Lesotho's Mahosana Akaphamong.[3] It was hard for many to give up their normal jobs and make a living from famo performances and records, but some shebeens would offer paid competitions for female singers, the most renowned being Puseletso Seema, a veteran with 40 years of performance experience.[3]
Mosotho Chakela is a current star in famo music, having performed at the Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival[4][5] and Morija Arts & Cultural Festival. In 2006 Chakela was awarded a South African Traditional Music Award for best musician in the famo music category.[6]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeLevine, Laurie; Drumcafe (2005). The Drumcafé's traditional music of South Africa. Jacana Media. pp. 136–137 / 286. ISBN1-77009-046-0. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
^ abcdefgCoplan, David Bellin (1994). In the time of cannibals: the word music of South Africa's Basotho migrants. University of Chicago Press. ISBN0-226-11574-7. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
^ abcdefghiMarcus, George E. (1992). Rereading cultural anthropology (3rd ed.). Duke University Press. ISBN0-8223-1297-2. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
^ "Macufe Daily Programme 2008". Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival. 2009-10-03. Retrieved 2009-05-22.[permanent dead link]
^"TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS HONOURED". National Heritage Council, South Africa. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
External linksedit
Media And Famo Artists Lambasted for Promoting Women Abuse
King Letsie III is 40
April 09, 2024
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This article is about music For the vehicle manufacturer see FAMO Famo is a type of music from Lesotho in Africa consisting of singing accompanied by the accordion a drum and occasionally a bass It originated in the drinking dens of migrant workers from Lesotho trying to relax after working in the mines in the 1920s but is now a popular form of music for Sesotho speakers Contents 1 Characteristics 2 History 3 Artists 4 References 5 External linksCharacteristics editAs a very popular form of music in Lesotho 1 famo consists of male or female singing and ululations Instrumental support comes from an accordion a drum and a bass Songs often refer to urban life and female singers can use their singing to challenge their male counterparts 1 History editThe introduction of Basotho migrant labour from Lesotho into South African mines in the 1920s led to the development of famo 2 It originated in the setolotolo bow songs that the menfolk would sing as they walked along alternating between the bow to fill in the chorus and the voice as the lead part 1 With the introduction of European instruments the korosetina concertina and koriana accordion were adopted The concertina was initially favoured as it could be played whilst singing and was easily carried but the accordion was eventually favoured for its bigger sound which was better for dancing 1 The music and singing combination of famo was performed in the shebeens where the workers drank and chatted and also down in the mines whilst they toiled 1 The name famo came from the phrase ho re famo to flare the nostrils or to throw up one s garments 2 The dancing girls who had followed the men to South Africa and entertained them in the shebeens perfected a dance with their short skirts that allowed them to artfully flick up the skirt exposing their naked rear 3 The performers were careful not to wear underwear 2 In 1963 reforms to South African regulations meant the repatriation of thousands of women and famo performers and shebeen danceers were forced back to Lesotho 3 This encouraged the creation of ensembles that were rounded out by a drummer The moropa drum they used was a 20 litre tar can topped by a piece of inner tube as the drumhead with manyenenyene metal bottle tops or jangles to provide a jingling alternative to the thump of the drum 2 3 The drumsticks themselves were made from slices of tire 2 3 Since the 1920s music companies had been looking for African music they could commercialise 2 What turned the music of the shebeens into a national music for the Basotho was the rise of major recording personalities amongst the famo ensembles 3 Artists editIn the late 1960s the first major recording artists to make a living from famo were Tau ea Matsekha Lion of Matsekha Matsekheng Habo Matsekha is an area in Northern Lesotho made up of Forere Motloheloa accordionist and Apollo Ntabanyane vocalist composer 3 The pair met and honed their musical act in the mines and shebeens but their success with albums such as Peete Kea Falla Peete s Place I m Quitting released by EMI led Ntabanyane to leave and set up his own group In 1974 he even declared himself King of Famo at a concert at Maseru s Airport Hotel that was attended by Her Majesty MaMohato wife of Lesotho s King Moshoeshoe II 3 Later successful artists include David Sello Motaung s Tau ea Linare in the 1980s 2 and southern Lesotho s Mahosana Akaphamong 3 It was hard for many to give up their normal jobs and make a living from famo performances and records but some shebeens would offer paid competitions for female singers the most renowned being Puseletso Seema a veteran with 40 years of performance experience 3 Mosotho Chakela is a current star in famo music having performed at the Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival 4 5 and Morija Arts amp Cultural Festival In 2006 Chakela was awarded a South African Traditional Music Award for best musician in the famo music category 6 References edit a b c d e Levine Laurie Drumcafe 2005 The Drumcafe s traditional music of South Africa Jacana Media pp 136 137 286 ISBN 1 77009 046 0 Retrieved 2009 05 22 a b c d e f g Coplan David Bellin 1994 In the time of cannibals the word music of South Africa s Basotho migrants University of Chicago Press ISBN 0 226 11574 7 Retrieved 2009 05 22 a b c d e f g h i Marcus George E 1992 Rereading cultural anthropology 3rd ed Duke University Press ISBN 0 8223 1297 2 Retrieved 2009 05 22 Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival Lesedi FM 2008 10 03 Retrieved 2009 05 22 Macufe Daily Programme 2008 Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival 2009 10 03 Retrieved 2009 05 22 permanent dead link TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS HONOURED National Heritage Council South Africa Retrieved 2009 05 21 External links editMedia And Famo Artists Lambasted for Promoting Women Abuse King Letsie III is 40 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Famo amp oldid 1146222812, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
