Read the discussion in WOM about CD 1:33 and listen to the recording while following the Close Listening guide. Compare what you hear to the field recording of ganga singing presented earlier in this chapter (CD 1:31). What is the context of CD 1:31? How is the concept of “fusion” achieved in CD 1:33? Include an explanation of the two types of ganga singing

suggested by WOM in your answer.

What will be an ideal response?

• CD 1:31 is ganga singing by three girls who grew up together as friends (i.e., rural ganga singing) on Mount Bjelasnica, south of the capital city Sarajevo, in the independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (formerly one of the six republics of Yugoslavia). Three predominant ethnic groups –Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats—live in the relatively pluralistic society of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each group is associated with Muslims, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholicism respectively, but not every member of these ethnic groups actually practices the associated religion.


• CD 1:33"Zuta Baba" is a version of a genre of traditional Bosnian village singing called saljive pjesme (joking songs) that shares some of the musical qualities of ganga—close polyphony (dissonant to many Western listeners), loud, direct singing, and phrases ending in pitches that descend downward (glissando) or a high yelp. However, CD 1:33 was produced in an academic setting (female students from Wesleyan University) in contrast to the rural setting of CD 1:31 where by custom long-time girlfriends sing together until they are married. The "academic version" is a worldbeat fusion combining traditional elements of ganga singing with a strong rock beat and background.