The International Library of African Music (ILAM) is primarily an audio archive, but the photographs in this collection add another dimension to its story. Beginning in 1929, Hugh Tracey embarked on expeditions into remote parts of Africa, documenting traditional musicians out of concern that the growing influence of Western culture would overshadow and erase the unwritten musical heritage of African communities. As a pioneer in the movement for “Africans telling Africa’s story,” his recordings now constitute the most extensive archive of indigenous African music.
A Ndau man playing a Chizambi friction mouth bow being recorded by Hugh Tracey. The musician rubs the rattle stick along the notches in the arched part of the bow. The bow string, made of palm leaf, is resonated in the mouth.
These images are available for licensing on african.pictures
