Details

Latitude

-4.35604

Longitude

152.266

Start Date

1993-08-23

End Date

1993-08-23

Tape# 2 - Music History and Journey and Performance of Choral and Traditional Music Side A & B: Henry Tavul shared his music journey through historical developments, practices and performance from choral, stringbands and traditional music. His aide and assistant in ToPolos Pultima support this journey of music and known to be in the various aspects of music performance and practices with Henry Tavul. Vunamami choirs were also successful in 1960s to 1970s in choral competitions. On one occasion, they were joint winners with Matalau choir so the shield was held by each village six months each. Various choir masters and conductors were mentioned from Beniona, ToBilitaria, Tiriu were responsible in the success of the Vunamami choir. Henry later started the Vunamami "Jokers" choir he named to be more of funny and mixed presentation and performance of both traditional appearance singing church hymns with traditional flavour to identify with a difference in the competitions. The choirs was also successful as the next main choir of the Vunamami area. Henry was also a member of the Judges of these choral competitions and described his criteria that was used in Voices, Balance of singing and expressions in song performance. During the earlier music performances in stringbands and choirs, jealousy and fighting to successful groups were evident. Within the Tolai people, its affected individuals and groups even to splitting up or assaulting others and were victims for their own successes. This attitude also affected Tolai people from other ethnic groups not in the music space but inter marriages and labourer workers in conflicts. A way to bring unity amongst different ethnic groups was the setting up of the Tolai Warwagira event in early 1970s. This was to encourage Tolais' and people of other regions of PNG to bring in their cultural and music performances to participate and compete as harmonisation of relations and unity. It has been successful since its inception. Henry and ToPolos were also involved with work of expatriates for culture and social researchers and volunteers working in various villages including Vunamami. (Steven Gagau, May 2019)

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