RC 260816SAfm

Sunday, 16 August 2026

The episode centred on Central African Republic music and culture, with a deep dive into Aka polyphony, a travel rundown of the country, and a translation of Zokela Kaida Monanga’s ‘Centrafrique’.

Listen · 1:28 · AI-read recap
  1. 03:42

    Aka and Babenzele polyphonic singing from the Central African Republic was presented as a community tradition tied to hunting, ceremonies, mourning, courtship and children’s learning, not stage performance.

  2. 03:44

    Hindevu was explained as a single-pitch flute-and-voice hocket, while Aka polyphony was described as several independent vocal parts interlocking into a dense, rhythmic musical texture.

  3. 04:00

    Achenyo Idachaba’s Nigerian company Mitimeth turns water hyacinth into woven crafts; it started in 2011 and grew from seven staff in 2015 to more than 600 women and young people trained by 2022.

  4. 04:43

    The Central African Republic travel segment singled out Bangui, Dzanga-Sangha, Boali Waterfalls, Kaga Bandoro, Zemio, Chinko, Bamingui-Bangoran and Dzanga Doki as standout nature and culture stops.

  5. 05:23

    ‘Centrafrique’ by Zokela Kaida Monanga was translated as a love letter and lament for the country, calling for unity while acknowledging conflict, hardship, pride and hope.