“Traditionally, arts and ceremony were used to pass on beliefs, morality and codes of behaviour. Ceremonial art was integral to the ordering of society. Stories often used environmental metaphors. Tradition was based on a respect for the environment, a harmonious relationship with it. It was not a hierarchical situation in which the environment was secondary, as is the case in a technological age.
Through music we cross the line between life and death”
– William Takaku
William is not only featured on this “Bibirosi” CD, he was the inspiration behind it. William was a proud and culturally strong Bougainvillean man. He sadly passed away in 2011.
Takaku pushed for greater support of both the theatre and the national film industry in PNG. He, along with Albert Toro also wrote and directed an eight part, 25 minute television series: “Warriors in Transit”. In this series the mother and father look after the central figure, a sick child, until his death. “The child,” says Takaku, “is a symbol of the nation,
the parents are the government, which does not know how to treat the country’s sickness. “Families,” he goes on, “are the root of all love that kept societies together. Now that is crumbling, the house is rotting and people are wandering around mad.
“Warriors in Transit” is, in a sense, a question,” says Takaku. “Where do we go from here? How do we transit into this new era and why do we have to do it?”
credits
released July 17, 2013
This recording auspiced by Chief Phillip Tibola
and Allan Gioni with assistance from Annie Takaku
William Takaku wrote songs 1, 4 & 9
Pidia songs written by all the village and registered with
Paramount Chief Phillip Tibola
Recorded by Brett Doig in Pidia Village 2012
Mixed by Brett Doig in Haus Bilas Studios 2013
Produced by David Bridie
William Takaku: Chants from Marahe
William Takaku: Music, lyrics and arrangements
Singers and Kaur: Ani Takaku, Leka Takaku,
Laurie Gabutm, Reuben Gabutm
Recorded and Engineered by Emmanuel Muganaua at
Cyclone Studios Port Morseby
Mastered by Anthony John Luwong
Pidia Kau Group:
Moses Pate: singer
Leo Aveni: singer
Kamalita Tibola: singer
Bart Kanea: kururung kaur (bass)
Andrew Bavuma: kururung kaur (bass)
Justine Nakauag: kavarong kaur (small bass)
Raymond Toromari: kavarong kaur (small bass)
Paul Mautaung: nasikapo (long pan pipe)
Martin Aveni: kovi meomaro (small pan pipe)
George Nekana: kovi-sintore (small pan pipe)
David Bridie: Additional vocal
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