Technology of Enchantment. Polyphonic Singing Workshop inspired by Yaka Pygmy Culture

Atelier directed by Ingrid Lewis

Yaka Pygmy hunter-gatherers are one of the increasingly rare egalitarian societies on earth. Men and women are equally valued, elders have no authority over juniors, and as soon as a child can walk they are free to chose where they sleep. Immediate ‘demand-sharing’ of all food produced and each person’s unmediated, direct access to resources ensures economic equality for all members of society. Numerous other leveling mechanisms such as theatrical reenactments (moadjo) and sophisticated playful ritual performances (massana) reinforce the equality of participants. The act of music making embodies many of the basic principles of egalitarian interpersonal relations and so serves as a subtle reinforcement of egalitarianism. At the same time the dense interlocked hocketing polyphonic singing that Pygmies are famous for serves to enchant both the singers and whoever hears them. In this workshop Ingrid will introduce the basic principles of polyphonic singing and guide participants through the necessary steps to understand why we call this music a technology of enchantment. Using a range of styles from lullaby to bessime (call and response) songs and malobe (forest spirit play) participants will learn about massana. Previous experience of singing is not necessary. As long as there is a voice that speaks, there is a voice that can sing.

BIO

Ingrid Lewis lived with the Yaka Pygmy hunter-gatherers in the Northern Republic of Congo between 1994 and 1997 and has been visiting regularly ever since. Accepted into the Yaka women’s group, she was initiated into two women's secret societies - called Ngoku and Yele. In these contexts women teach each other about women’s magic and power in society. Part of this secret knowledge concerns how to use music to enchant those who hear it. After many informal sessions, she was asked to teach to more people and so began teaching polyphonic singing workshops in UK in 2004. She has a private practice in London supporting women at all life stages, but with a focus on pregnancy and birth, fertility, and motherhood. In Congo she carried out medical and public health research for GTZ (German Cooperation), UNICEF and others; conducted rural treatment campaigns against yaws; vaccination campaigns against polio, measles and TB; offered leprosy treatments and set up a mobile forest pharmacy with traditional healers. Together with Jerome and Nicolas Lewis she made a film about Mbendjele ritual and play titled “Massana - Moments in Yaka Play and Ritual”.