Equatorial Microcosm / Various Equatorial Microcosm / Various CD

This 1973 Folkways release focuses on the Bwiti religion and it's sister cult, Mbiri, among the Fang people in Gabon. Beginning with gentle harp music played at the start of rituals to cleanse the cult house, the record includes harp songs of fertility and percussion songs that serve to prepare the body for death and reunion with ancestors. Liner notes by anthropologist James W. Fernandez provide a detailed discussion of both the religion and the music.

1. Preparatory Music of the Harp - Ngombi 2. Preparatory Music of the Harp - Ngombi 3. Mbiri Harp Song 4. Mbiri Harp Song 5. Minkin Song of First Entrance Into the Chapel 6. Njimba Chants 7. Minkin Song of First Entrance Into the Chapel 8. Thirteen Minkin Songs - Thirteen Songs of Entrance Into the Chapel 9. First Harp Songs of the Road of Birth and Creation 10. Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation 11. Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation 12. Harp Song of the Road of Birth and Creation 13. Obongo Chants 14. Eight Mwanga Songs, Four Prayer Songs 15. Yombo Song of the Women's Chamber 16. Five Yombo Songs of the Women's Chamber 17. Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (1) 18. Harp Song of the Road of Death and Destruction (2) 19. Obango Dance 20. Chained Harp Songs 21. Obango Song 22. Obango Dance 23. Harp Song of the Road of Death