Sound Media Spectrum

Sound documents play a central role in recording oral texts and memories. From 1953 to 1954, the couple Ernst and Ruth Dammann recorded over 800 songs and stories, in numerous African languages, in southwestern Africa and photographed the performers. This included four women in Omaruru who performed the so-called jackal’s dance in Otjiherero. Personal Archives Ernst and Ruth Dammann: TPA.39 21.14.

Interviews are an indispensable form of research for journalists and scholars. South African journalist Ruth Weiss interviewed numerous African politicians beginning in the 1960s. She remained in contact with several of them, including former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, who she interviewed on 30 March 1977 in Lusaka on the occasion of a visit by Soviet President Nikolai Podgorny. Personal Archives Ruth Weiss: TPA.43 60.

Music recordings often provided journalists with a background over which they could assemble radio documentations. The studio recordings of South African singer Miriam Makeba were captured by Ruth Weiss in West Germany on 18 March 1978. Personal Archives Ruth Weiss: TPA.43 187.

Organisations often document their work by recording events. On 1 March 1980, the committee kämpfendes afrika held an event in Zurich together with Pan African Congress (PAC) politician Michael Muendane from South Africa, which was recorded on tape. (translator: Barbara Müller) General Archives Medic’Angola / kämpfendes Afrika: TAA.5. 7A.

The audio archive contains collections of interviews and recordings produced by journalists, researchers, and various organisations. The majority of the material originates from southern Africa. However, numerous conversations and recordings of events featuring African interlocutors were also produced in Europe

The larger portion of the sound collection was digitised and catalogued with the financial help of the association Memoriav.

For further information:
Archive Catalogue
archive@baslerafrika.ch