The first round of Sankofa Folksong Openmic just ended. Please check out the entries by browsing the #sankofa tag on Steemit.
@Sankofa's goal is to explore folk traditions from around the world and preserve them on Steem; thanks to the huge, diverse community we have, and the indelible blockchain. In doing that we contribute to the content pool, create keepsakes, and employ technology to help preserve eroding traditional storytelling cultures.
In the past our contests have focused on folk stories and literary form content, leaving out a very important yarn in the weave of native stories, the oldest and most prevalent form of folklore: songs. We are expanding the contest to cover that now. Folk songs! Be it the polyphonic tunes from Nigeria and Ukraine, or the monodic choral songs from anywhere. We will entertain them here, and in their original languages. The best ones win some prizes in STEEM.
What is considered a "folk song?"
folk song
noun
a song that originates in traditional popular culture or that is written in such a style.
"a Carribean folk song"
Although the term “folk song” has been contorted and redefined in lots of ways by popular culture, we will stick to the most basic understanding of folk song, the type we intend this contest to be about.
A folk song in a kind of music handed down orally from generation to generation. It is probably as old as spoken language and often accompanies folk stories. Usually we don't know who thought of the song originally, but it definitely has a community root. Its message is often about individuals, community and life.
In the America, think of a song like “Yankee Doodle.” In Efik/Ibibio, songs like “Eno Eno" (embeded below).
Someone jokingly remarked about folk songs, “If someone’s great-great grandparents didn’t play it, it’s not folk.”
So how does one enter?
Simple! Make an original recording (lo-fi or hi-fi, doesn't matter) of yourself (or someone else) singing a traditional folk song, and then share with the appropriate tags and you stand a chance to win. No video is required, but it'll surely be a bonus. And, you know instruments make music sound better, right? 😉
What is however required is a vocal verification at the beginning of your recording. You could simply say "Hi Steemit" in an introduction, with the words “Folksong openmic”. Just stuff like that.
Have “Sankofa Folksongs Openmic” in the post title. Use #sankofa as one of your tags.
Lastly you may want to provide some written context about the song, maybe with translations if it's not in English.
Below is a recording of a folk song from the Annang/Ibibio tribe in Southern Nigeria to inspire you. Read more about the song here.
Recording contributed by fellow steemian,
What's the prize?*
While the bigger prize is the fulfillment of sharing a part of your heritage that would otherwise have remained concealed, we will reward the best entries with some STEEM while we have some. Thanks to 
2nd place winner — 5 STEEM
Entry closes 7 days from this announcement post. We will run weekly, and improve the contest as we progress. Please be kind to share with a resteem. Help spread the word.
Have fun.
*The STEEM prize will depend on availability of sponsorship.
Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash