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Solomon Islands: Fataleka and Baegu Music from Malaita

Various Artists
Solomon Islands: Fataleka and Baegu Music from Malaita Malaita, the most densely populated of the Solomon Islands, is located about 1,200 miles off the northeast coast of Australia. The island is home to the Fataleka and Baegu peoples, whose music is influenced by the traditional religious beliefs that were practiced before their conversion to Christianity in the 19th century.

This album showcases the varied contexts in which these groups use the ubiquitous bamboo bundle panpipe (susuku). The songs of the maome (funeral rituals) weave together panpipes with clapping sticks and a choir singing with closed mouths in polyphonic harmonies. In other ceremonial songs, dancers become musicians with rattles on their ankles, stomping the ground to create a striking beat. Women play a prominent role on the album singing and playing a two-string bamboo bow. In 1992, French electronica duo Deep Forest heavily sampled “Rorogwela” (track 8) in their hit song “Sweet Lullaby.”

Track Listing

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101
Uunu n/a 03:26
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102
Uunu n/a 02:51
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103
Susuku Solo Aeresuuga 00:47
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104
Roiroa: Women's Song n/a 02:36
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105
Faa Ta Gwouna Au Sisile Panpipe Ensemble 01:52
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106
Faa Gani 'Ae Boso Au Sisile Panpipe Ensemble 01:25
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107
Au Sango Au Sango Papipe Ensemble 09:16
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108
Rorogwela Lullaby Afunakwa 01:44
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109
Sukute Rokona 00:55
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110
Sukwadi Solo Rokona 01:02
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111
Kwadili Solo Rokona 00:42
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112
Ai Ni Mae (Men's Narrative Song) n/a 03:24
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113
Mae 'Au (Introducing Song) n/a 01:43
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114
Safali 'Au Au 'Ero Panpipe Ensemble 01:59
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115
Ae 'Au Au 'Ero Panpipe Ensemble 01:21
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116
Susulae Au 'Ero Panpipe Ensemble 04:24
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117
Ae 'Au Au 'Ero Panpipe Ensemble 02:14
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118
Fafane Au 'Ero Panpipe Ensemble 03:08