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

101	Divinatory Songs: Uunu (1)	Fataleka male singer with choir and rattle accompaniment	03:26
102	Divinatory Songs: Uunu (2)	Fataleka male singer with choir and rattle accompaniment	02:51
103	Susuku Solo	Aeresuuga	00:47
104	Roiroa (Women's Song)	Group of eight women and girls singing	02:36
105	Faa Ta Gwouna	‘Au sisile panpipe ensemble	01:52
106	Faa Gani ‘Ae Boso	‘Au sisile panpipe ensemble	01:25
107	‘Au Sango	‘Au sango panpipe ensemble	09:16
108	Rorogwela (Lullaby)	Afunakwa	01:44
109	Sukute Solo	Rokona	00:55
110	Sukwadi Solo	Rokona	01:02
111	Kwadili Solo	Rokona	00:42
112	‘Ai Ni Mae (Men's Narrative Song)	Two male singers accompanied by chorus and percussion	03:24
113	Mae ‘Au (Introducing Song)	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble singing introductory song	01:43
114	Safali ‘Au	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble	01:59
115	‘Ae ‘Au (1)	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble	01:21
116	Susulae	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble	04:24
117	‘Ae ‘Au (2)	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble	02:14
118	Fafane	‘Au ‘ero panpipe ensemble	03:08