CHANTIES.
[To TIM EDITOR or THE " SPECTITOE."] SIR,—Your review of the book of " chanties " by Messrs. Frank Bullen and W. F. Arnold, in the Spectator of June 6th, brings back to my memory the singing of chanties by the natives of Nyasaland and Portuguese East Africa. The fact that the natives of this part of Africa still sing chanties is particularly interesting when associated with Mr. Arnold's view that the majority of chanties are negroid in origin, and with Sir George Grove's opinion that these songs origin- ated in Africa. The usual mode of travel in the above-men- tioned districts is by the Portuguese system of a "Machila" —namely, a hammock swung on a pole, carried by a team of twelve or more men, four men being employed to carry the hammock at a time ; it is the invariable custom of these teams to sing when leaving or when entering a station, and to quicken the pace during the journey. This also applies to carriers.
I was particularly associated with the Yao tribe, both bill and plainsmen, and I knew several of their melodies well. There were about ten tunes in common use in my district ; one man always sang the solo part, while the remainder joined in the chorus. The songs were frequently far from proper, but the singing of them kept the men going and kept them together, and made a great difference when a long journey had to be undertaken. One of the most popular of Yao songs dealt with the adventures of a village maiden, and the soloist improvised as he sang ; but the most beautiful melody heard by me was a boating song sung by the boatmen of the Lower Shire. To hear this melody sung while travelling down the river at night is one of those rare moments of enjoyment that remain for ever in a traveller's memory ; the coxswain sitting at the rudder sang the solo, while the crew of eight dipped their paddles and sang the chorus. A bright moon and the splashing of the water against the boat's sides were the finish- ing touches and formed a glorious setting for this song. I understand that this tune is a native version of an " Ave Maria " taught to the natives by the Portuguese at Tete on the Zambesi upon their first occupation of the country. The tune of this song is all that remains to-day as a record of pre- vious teaching, just as the fine filigree gold work so rarely seen to-day on these rivers is all that survives of an ancient goldsmith's trade. As to keeping time, these natives keep time also against the beat; for not only at their dances do they clap their hands to mark rhythm against the time or after the beat of the music, but it is also noticeable when they clap their hands at their drummings or singing, and the same thing applies frequently to the movements of their bodies.
Again, there is another sort of chanty to be found among these tribes, the chanty sung to the music of the drums on the occasion of a "pombe " or beer carousal. On these occa- sions the soloist sings of the local events of the village and country-life; improvises verses in honour of favoured guests; or recounts deeds of prowess in wars. Each singer will continue to sing for several hours at a time, telling his par- ticular story, and taking breath during the intervals of the singing of the chorus by the remainder of the party. I have occupied the seat of honour on more than one occasion, and have once had my praises sung. A point to notice is that neither the Yaos nor the natives of Portuguese East Africa are negroes in the West Coast term; they have a strong mixture of Arab and coast blood in their veins, and are in every way a more civilized and advanced type.
In conclusion, I must add that I have never heard a. chanty sung in any part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan or in Southern Nigeria, which rather points to the conclusion that chanties are most commonly to be met with south of the Equator.—I am,
Sir, &c., ANOTHER RIFLEMAN IN AFRICA.
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