Traditional Songs of the Western Torres Straits, South Pacific

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along with the world, turning to new cultural practices and losing interest in the traditions perceived as old and outdated once Western ideas and technologies reached the islands’ shores.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.

Track Listing

101	War Song from the Legend of Kuiam (Mabuiag) Bana Kris	02:03
102	Pipi or War Dance Song (Muralag) Madu Paul	01:28
103	Kawaladi - Kuiam's War Dance Song (Mabuiag) Kame Paipai, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	01:01
104	Kawaladi - War Dance Song (Mabuiag) Missi McFarlane Mam	00:36
105	Death Dance After a Fight (Muralag) Madu Paul	01:35
106	Song from a Folk Tale (Muralag) Madu Paul	00:50
107	Song from the Folk Tale of Waubin (Keriri) Madu Paul	00:46
108	Song from the Folk Tale of Dogai Saurkeke (Mabuiag) Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani	00:45
109	Song in Praise of the Mythical Hero Tagai (Muralag) Madu Paul	01:08
110	Magic Turtle Hunting Song (Muralag) Madu Paul	01:03
111	Krarau Sagul (Mask Dance) Song (Keriri) Wiz Nawia	01:04
112	Krarau Sagul Song (Muralag) Sailor Miskin	01:05
113	Krarau Sagul Song for Baiag Tim, a Fish Mask Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani	00:37
114	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Crocodile Dance (Mabuiag) Jimmie Luffman	00:56
115	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Second Dance Song (Mabuiag) Bob Lee	00:27
116	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Third Dance Song (Mabuiag) Jimmie Luffman	00:24
117	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Fourth (Final) Dance Song (Mabuiag) Bob Lee, Kame Paipai, and Refu Dugui	00:43
118	Umana - Prelude to a Dance (Narupai) Madu Paul	01:45
119	Kab Chant (Mabuiag) Missi McFarlane Mam	00:23
120	Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers (Muri) Anu Ara and female singers	00:59
121	Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers (Western Islands) Mixed chorus with drums, Mer (Murray Island)	02:03
122	Kab Song (Mabuiag) Kame Paipai and Jimmie Luffman	01:00
123	Kab Song (Keriri) Madu Paul	01:45
124	Kab Song (Muri) Mose Dau	00:51
125	Kab Song (Paremar) Jessie Pearson	01:22
126	Dance Song from the South Pacific, Probably from Rotuma (1) Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	00:55
127	Dance Song from the South Pacific, Probably from Rotuma (2) Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	01:13