Note: (In French.) A personal instrument is the bamboo zither. There are a limited number of tunes. Nonsense syllable patterns define tunes. Singing with words is never accompanied. Lyric songs are short and have intricate rhyme schemes. They sing while squatting, with a minimum of gesture, women sing with downcast eyes. Pleasant but held-back voice appreciated in women. For men, extensive knowledge and ability to sing appropriate verses (intellectual abilities) most prized. Types of songs: love songs, ironic songs, songs of spite. There are exchanges of songs while drinking. Texts are traditional (known to all) with some scope for embellishment. Child rearing: children nursed until three. Sleep with mother. No formal instruction, they learn by imitation. Parents never scold, but older sisters control younger ones by mocking them or sometimes disciplining. Oral literature and genealogies learned by imitation not formal instruction. Ideal woman is a good weaver. Ideal man is hard working and knowledgeable. Marriage is an economic collaboration. Condominas recounted episode from the Odyssey to servant. Later heard servant telling the same story to his mother over a period of half an hour.
Location:
Archive ID: T1242
Original format: Reel to Reel Tape number:T1242 Track: 1
About the session: Georges Condominas and Alan Lomax discuss the Mnong Gar of Vietnam
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