Music of Kiribati

The music of Kiribati has been less affected by Western culture than most other Pacific island cultures since Europeans did not arrive in Kiribati until 1892.^[1] The national anthem of Kiribati is "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Kiribati), by Urium Tamuera Ioteba; it was adopted upon independence in 1979.^[2]

Kiribati folk music is generally based around chanting or other forms of vocalizing, accompanied by body percussion. Public performances in modern Kiribati are generally performed by a seated chorus, accompanied by a guitar. However, during formal performances of the standing dance (Te Kaimatoa) or the hip dance (Te Buki) a wooden box is used as a percussion instrument. This box is constructed so as to give a hollow and reverberating tone when struck simultaneously by a chorus of men sitting around it. Traditional songs are often love-themed, but there are also competitive, religious, children's, patriotic, war and wedding songs.^[3] There are also stick dances (which accompany legends and semi-historical stories.^[4] These stick dances or 'tirere' (pronounced seerere) are only performed during major festivals.

Bata Teinamati has been described as one of Kiribati's most notable musicians.^[1]

Folk song composition

Its traditional music is composed by people known as te kainikamaen. These composers are said to receive their songs from myth or magic, an ability that sed from father to son. After composition, a group called rurubene sings the song to the composer, after which it is made public and is sung by anyone; at this point, the song is considered blessed (mamiraki).^[5]

Composers also write songs on demand, telling a story told to him by an individual. The composer will then sing it and teach it to the rurubene, making any needed changes. Composers also occasionally create songs of their own accord.^[6]

References

• ^ "Music from Kiribati". Encarta. Archived from the original on 2009-11-01. http://www.webcitation.org/5kx7ZjEjb. Retrieved September 29, 2005. 
• ^ "Kiribati". National Anthem Reference Page. http://david.national-anthems.net/ki.htm. Retrieved September 29, 2005. 
• ^ "Traditional Kiribati Music". Jane's Oceania Page. http://www.janeresture.com/kiribati_music/. Retrieved September 29, 2005. 

1. ^ "Country profile: Kiribati", The Guardian, April 22, 2009

External links

• MSN Encarta (Archived 2009-11-01) - downloadable sample of folk music