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along with the world, turning to new cultural practices and losing interest in the traditions perceived as old and outdated once Western ideas and technologies reached the islands’ shores.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	Bana Kris	02:03
102	Pipi or War Dance Song	Madu Paul	01:28
103	Kawaladi - Kuiam's War Dance Song	Kame Paipai, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	01:01
104	Kawaladi - War Dance Song	Missi McFarlane Mam	00:36
105	Death Dance after a Fight	Madu Paul	01:35
106	Song from a Folk Tale	Madu Paul	00:50
107	Song from the Folk Tale of Waubin	Madu Paul	00:46
108	Song from the Folk Tale of Dogai Saurkeke	Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani	00:45
109	Song in Praise of the Mythical Hero Tagai	Madu Paul	01:08
110	Magic Turtle Hunting Song	Madu Paul	01:03
111	Krarau Sagul - Mask Dance Song	Wiz Nawia	01:04
112	Krarau Sagul Song - Mask Dance Song	Sailor Miskin	01:05
113	Krarau Sagul Song for Baiag Tim - Mask Dance Song for Baiag Tim, a Fish Mask	Jimmie Luffman and Manesse Bani	00:37
114	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Crocodile Dance	Jimmie Luffman	00:56
115	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Second Dance Song	Bob Lee	00:27
116	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Third Dance Song	Jimmie Luffman	00:24
117	Kulai Kuiku Kab - Fourth (Final) Dance Song	Bob Lee, Kame Paipai, and Refu Dugui	00:43
118	Umana - Prelude to a Dance	Madu Paul	01:45
119	Kab Chant	Missi McFarlane Mam	00:23
120	Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers	Anu ¯Ar¯a and female singers	00:59
121	Kab Chant for the Entry of the Dancers	Female and male singers	02:03
122	Kab Song	Kame Paipai and Jimmie Luffman	01:00
123	Kab Song	Madu Paul	01:45
124	Kab Song	Mose Dau	00:51
125	Kab Song	Jessie Pearson	01:22
126	Dance Song from the South Pacific - Dance Song from Rotuma	Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	00:55
127	Dance Song from the South Pacific - Dance Song from Rotuma	Kelam Wop, Jimmie Luffman, and Manesse Bani	01:13