Traditional Songs of theTorres Straits, South Pacific (1977) CD

"This item is part of the Folkways archives.  The original liner notes from the LP are included."


One might plausibly assert that the Melanesians of the western Torres Strait have moved along with the world, turning to new cultural practices and losing interest in the traditions perceived as old and outdated once Western ideas and technologies reached the islands’ shores. The liner notes explain that most of the songs and dances on this recording are documentations of a now extinct tradition that largely disappeared around the turn of the twentieth century, in fact asserting that this recording may have been the last time many of the songs were ever performed. This aside, the legends and folk tales woven into chants and drumming provide a compelling look into the past.

Tracks
1. War Song from the Legend of Kuiam     Bana Kris     2:03    
2. Pipi or War Dance Song     Madu Paul     1:28    
3. Kawaladi - Kuiam's War Dance Song     Kame Paipai, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani     1:01    
4. Kawaladi - War Dance Song     Missi McFarlane Mam     0:36    
5. Death Dance after a Fight     Madu Paul     1:35    
6. Song from a Folk Tale     Madu Paul     0:50    
7. Song from the Folk Tale of Waubin     Madu Paul     0:46    
8. Song from the Folk Tale of Dogai Saurkeke     Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani     0:45    
9. Song in Praise of the Mythical Hero Tagai     Madu Paul     1:08    
10. Magic Turtle Hunting Song     Madu Paul     1:03    
11. Krarau Sagul - Mask Dance Song     Wiz Nawia     1:04    
12. Krarau Sagul Song - Mask Dance Song     Sailor Miskin     1:05    
13. Krarau Sagul Song for Baiag Tim - Mask Dance Song for Baiag Tim, a Fish Mask     Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani     0:37    
14. Kulai Kuiku Kab - Crocodile Dance     Jimmie Luffman     0:56    
15. Kulai Kuiku Kab - Second Dance Song     Bob Lee     0:27    
16. Kulai Kuiku Kab - Third Dance Song     Jimmie Luffman     0:24    
17. Kulai Kuiku Kab - Fourth (Final) Dance Song     Bob Lee, Kame Paipai, and Refu Dugui     0:43    
18. Umana - Prelude to a Dance     Madu Paul     1:45    
19. Kab Chant     Missi McFarlane Mam     0:23    
20. Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers     Anu ¯Ar¯a and female singers     0:59    
21. Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers     Female and male singers     2:03    
22. Kab Song     Kame Paipai and Jimmie Luffman     1:00    
23. Kab Song     Madu Paul     1:45    
24. Kab Song     Mose Dau     0:51    
25. Kab Song     Jessie Pearson     1:22    
26. Dance Song from the South Pacific - Dance Song from Rotuma     Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani     0:55    
27. Dance Song from the South Pacific - Dance Song from Rotuma     Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani     1:13