Music of Kiribati
Encyclopedia
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. The national anthem
of Kiribati is "Teirake kaini Kiribati
" (Stand Kiribati), by Urium Tamuera Ioteba; it was adopted upon independence in 1979.
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. There are also stick dances (which accompany legends and semi-historical stories. These stick dances or 'tirere' are only performed during major festivals.
Bata Teinamati has been described as one of Kiribati's most notable musicians.
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.
Kiribati
Kiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
has been less affected by Western culture than most other Pacific island cultures since Europeans did not arrive in Kiribati until 1892. The national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Kiribati is "Teirake kaini Kiribati
Teirake Kaini Kiribati
Teirake Kaini Kiribati or Stand up, Kiribati is the national anthem of Kiribati. It was written and composed by Uriam Tamuera Ioteba, and adopted in 1979.-Kiribati lyrics:Gilbertese:Teirake kaini Kiribati...
" (Stand Kiribati), by Urium Tamuera Ioteba; it was adopted upon independence in 1979.
Kiribati folk music is generally based around chanting or other forms of vocalizing, accompanied by body percussion
Body percussion
Body percussion may be performed on its own or as an accompaniment to song. The folk traditions of many countries include the use of 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. There are also stick dances (which accompany legends and semi-historical stories. These stick dances or 'tirere' are only performed during major festivals.
Bata Teinamati has been described as one of Kiribati's most notable musicians.
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).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.
External links
- MSN Encarta (Archived 2009-11-01) - downloadable sample of folk music