NJAMBAT
Performed by Toneburst Laptop Ensemble
at Memorial Chapel, Wesleyan Unveristy
Spring 2026
Max MSP composition by Paula Mathussen
Performed by Toneburst Laptop Ensemble
at Memorial Chapel, Wesleyan Unveristy
Spring 2026
Max MSP composition by Paula Mathussen
“For Njambat, Ilana Harris-Babou asked her father, Dame Babou, to translate Audre Lorde's poem "Litany For
Survival" into Wolof. When he was a young man, he translated political speeches into Wolof for politicians in the newly independent nation of Senegal. He also ran a late-night Wolof-language radio show in NYC for his fellow immigrants to listen to as they drove taxis. The work combines this audio with sound recorded on the streets of Dakar and Brooklyn, and samples from musicians like Buju Banton, Pa Salieu, and Abdou Guité Seck.”
Survival" into Wolof. When he was a young man, he translated political speeches into Wolof for politicians in the newly independent nation of Senegal. He also ran a late-night Wolof-language radio show in NYC for his fellow immigrants to listen to as they drove taxis. The work combines this audio with sound recorded on the streets of Dakar and Brooklyn, and samples from musicians like Buju Banton, Pa Salieu, and Abdou Guité Seck.”
