Cradled in the heart of the African rainforest lives one of the oldest and most sensitive musical cultures on earth. The music of the Baka Forest People.
Global Music Exchange was created after Martin cradick & Su Hart went to live with them in 1992.
Living
in a world of trees, only hearing natural sounds, means that from birth
the Baka learn to listen acutely as it is vital for their survival. This
sonic awareness leads them to become exceptionally musical. Song and dance
permeate their lives both for ritual and for fun. The women sing "yelli"
to ensure luck in the hunt. Important initiations are accompanied by special
rhythms and dances, which unite the group and create harmony. Not only
are the Baka amongst the most musical people, they are also some of the
poorest on earth.
Following Martin Cradick and Su Hart's first visit to the Baka in 1992 a fruitful musical partnership has grown and evolved. On this first visit they played music and recorded with the Baka. This led to the production of 2 albums released on Hannibal Records, "Heart of the Forest" & "Spirit of the Forest" - songs inspired by the Baka & the first "Baka Beyond" release. They set up the charity Global Music Exchange, known to the Baka as "One Heart", to collect royalties due to the Baka from "Heart of the Forest" and for their contributions to Baka Beyond's albums. These funds are used for forest projects decided by the Baka themselves.
In the following years Su & Martin made several trips to the forest to research the best ways to help the Baka, culminating in a visit in 2000 with anthropologist Dr Jerome Lewis.
Read the 1998 report
Read the 2000 report
In
2003 Martin Cradick took Andi Main, a skilled timber frame builder, to
the Baka community to start the construction of their music house. With
the use of tools donated by the charity, "Tools for Self Reliance"
he taught Baka and Bantu the basics of timber frame construction and together
they built a magnificent house from one giant Sapelli tree. The Music
House is the first building of its kind built and owned by an indigenous
community in this part of Africa. It is being used as a meeting place
for their newly formed association, Gbiné, as well as to showcase
culture. They now realise that their music and dance underpins their culture
and unites them and is something of value to others. It not only brings
them financial rewards, but more importantly, the respect of their Cameroonian
neighbours and recognition in the wider world.
More information about the Baka HERE