Whilst collecting Birthday emails, we overheard a conversation from some Samoan athletes who are here participating in the Pacific Mini-games, that there had been a large earthquake near Samoa and people had died. [click to continue...]
September 2009
It just happened that one of the exponents of Cook Island drumming was doing a workshop that I was able to sit in on. Dr. Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen, a Rarotongan by birth, who has toured internationally with the famous Betela Dance Troupe. He has developed a unique way of notating the rhythms from the Cook Islands. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his perspective on drumming Pacific style. Below is an example of the unique Cook Island playing.
Check out more pictures/video …… [click to continue...]
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In the age of computer generated music and technology, it is exciting to hear about the resurgence of traditional instruments. The vivo, a high pitched nose flute, which was widely used in pre-missionary Polynesia, is having a bit of a revival. The Ministry of Cultural Development in the Cook Islands has organised workshops and had 1500 vivo made on the island of Mangaia, where the bamboo used for the instrument grows naturally.
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It’s staggering to realise the vastness of the area where we have come to. 15 small islands, yet situated in 2 million square miles of Pacific ocean – yes, can you believe it, an area about the size of western Europe. [click to continue...]
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“A culture cannot be learned from a textbook. True understanding and appreciation are possible only from first-hand experience.” Hiwi and Pat Tauroa.
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There have been two films (that reached the UK) that have given us a little insight into Maori culture in the last 20 years, “Once were warriors” and “Whale rider”. So it was fascinating to see the small rural community where whalerider was filmed. [click to continue...]
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There have been some significant changes for the Maori people since I was here 12 years ago. It was only 50 years ago that they were unable to speak their own language in schools without being reprimanded. Now they have their own Te Reo (Maori language TV channel), the use of their language is on the rise and there are Maori members of government. Sadly, many of New Zealand churches still hang on to imported styles of music (Australia, States, etc), unaware, it seems, of the treasures it has within its own borders. A few contemporary musicians and artists are mixing the languages and bringing traditional and modern expressions together. Check out CD’s by Whirimako Black (of 1 Giant Leap fame), Fat Freddys Drop, Te Waka, The Little Bushmen and the video below of Moana and the Tribe.
Want to learn more about the music of the Maori click here
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