The Bora of the Pascoe River: Cape York Peninsula, Northeast Australia

The bora, or boys’ initiation ceremonies, of the Aboriginal peoples of Cape York Peninsula in Northeastern Australia were already under threat by outside influence when this recording was made by Wolfgang Laade in 1963 (it was released in 1975). He interviewed tribal elders in the sacred bora ground to document the myth of the crocodile hero―on which the bora is based―and to describe the ceremonies as they had been performed. Other elders recorded traditional bora songs. The experience is especially heightened by the sounds of work and life permeating throughout.

Track Listing

101	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	09:05
102	Song: Pascoe Bora	Johnny Short	00:50
103	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	01:55
104	Song Warri Warri	Billy Daniels	01:00
105	Alligator Song	Edward Kanora and male singers	01:22
106	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	02:34
107	Alligator Song	Edward Kanora and male singers	01:02
108	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	00:54
109	Song	Johnny Short	00:48
110	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	00:51
111	Song	George Morton	00:32
112	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	01:06
113	Song	Billy Daniels, Edward Kanora, and Hughie Temple	00:29
114	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	02:29
115	Song	Billy Daniels, Edward Kanora, and Hughie Temple	00:33
116	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	02:17
117	Song by George Morton with Drum and Narration	George Morton	02:08
201	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	03:10
202	Narration and Song	Johnny Short	01:14
203	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	03:48
204	Narration and Song	Billy Daniels, Edward Kanora, and George Morton	02:14
205	Song	Billy Daniels	00:32
206	Narration and Song	George Morton and Edward Kanora	00:47
207	Narration and Song	Billy Daniels	00:55
208	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	01:53
209	Song	Billy Daniels, Edward Kanora, and Hughie Temple	00:55
210	Narration and Song	Edward Kanora and male singers	01:31
211	Narration and Song	Billy Daniels, Edward Kanora, and Hughie Temple	01:19
212	The Saga of the Crocodile Hero	Billy Daniels	02:10
213	Dance Rehearsal	Billy Edwards, George Morton and others	00:39