SONGS IN KUANUA (AUMANA KAKAILAI)
The songs appear here are not my compositions but written from childhood memory and intended for sharing with other Kuanua speakers who may wish to pass on to their children. They form part of children's literature in Tolai society. We sang them in primary and high school during my school days.
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| Photo: Ismael Isikel |
A Kuvur
A Kuvur is a song about the long sea travels that Tolai men undertook in the past to search for shells used in making traditional money. They traveled as far as Nakanai in the west of the island to trade for the shells because it was plentiful at Nakanai. Many times during their travels night birds would fly past above them. They could tell a bird by its chirping and one of them is the Kuvur, also known as Kuk. It is called Kuk because it chirps high pitched kuuuk sound during flight or when perched on a tree..
A kuvur itangtangi tauni avet.
A kuvur itangtangi tauni avet.
Ubara ra lolalolo.
Avet ta takpa ra palatabu.
Akana Towarubu,
Ra kalevovor.
Kongkong Iki Ra Wiliwil
This is about a Chinese riding a bicycle carrying a parcel of vegetables known in Kuanua as pepenge.
Kongkong iki ra wiliwil.
Ikap ra pupulu na pepenge.
Akave kana gunan?
Nat na beo ipukai.
Lawit, lawit, lawit.
Nat Na Tenge
A tenge is a wren and this one is about a wren that was trapped on a rosewood tree.
Iau gire ra nat na tenge,
Iki tara buringai bulbulit.
ToWilem idek wake,
Ma inongonongone.
Una mai Talaigu,
Dora tun ra dor beo.
Ivirua tara bulit, bulit, bulit.
Tenten Maro Malakuna
The rover from Malakuna is an expert hunter and his dog is the best in catching pigs.
Tenten maro Malakuna,
A tena rowarowoi.
Kana pap a tene tuna,
Kana pap a tene tuna.
Ikorot raumana boroi.
Loko ai ra luluai.
Una pam ra likutan.
Am ta wuana magitana.
Una karat ra limana.
Una pam, (una pam), una pam, (una pam).
Am ta wua-na magitana.
Boina tuna lai, ure go ra blog. Na valaun wake go ra umana kakailai ma kada tinata bula. Iauro, ma a bona keake piram.
ReplyDeleteTolai Blogger boina tuna. Ina tumu boko taumana mulai.
ReplyDeleteIsmael, a ngalana boina tuna as I stumbled across your blog by accident when listening to kada kakalai "A Kuvur" which I was listening to and wanted to know more about it. I got the meaning behind this as part of researching our Kuanua language.. You are certainly a resource base for information that enlightens and will certainly be in touch. Bona ravian piram!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I know the Kongkong iki Ra Wiliwil! Mum sang this a few times to me. I remember the melody well, especially the last line Lawit, lawit, lawit. Thank you for writing up the language text here. Good practice for me.
ReplyDelete