Lullaby from the Solomon Islands

[@StreetIntellect]

My grandma from my dad's village. The song in a nutshell talks about reminding the young generation that the old generation does not have the strength to be there to take care of the younger generation any longer and therefore reminding the younger generation that the strong arms, legs, eyes, ears, that used to take care of them is now weak. This is a form of reminder to the next generation after Miriam to step up and take responsibility of situation. Such "kana" (chant) also reminds the younger generation that an elder is near his/her deathbed and therefore preparations such as gathering and storage of food are needed in the event of a funeral. Some of the translation are below - these are just a few of the words in the song. Our history is passed down through "Oral" therefore, the song tells a story and is a form of passing down our history to the next generation. Don't cry for me my son Don't cry for me my daughter Don't cry for me my grandchildren I'm a human being I'm unable to walk, I'm unable to stand Don't have my sight to keep an eye on you Don't have my speech to sing you a lullaby Don't have my hands to cradle you Don't have my back to piggyback you Don't cry for me my kids Don't have my legs to stand with you.....................

[@christopherconder3303]

Wow, thank you for your reply and the fascinating translation. I understood it was something to do with the ancestor snake, is that in there too?

[@StreetIntellect]

@ Christopher Conder: There was no mention of snake in the song however myth passed down through our are'are oral history had a snake called "warutahana" that was chopped up into several pieces and the different pieces ended up in different parts of are'are forming the basis for the different tribes. This story is often incorporated into different aspects of of daily lives of the people to either teach people a lesson or reminder people of situation. I grew up being told these myths.

[@claudiaacosta8320]

Que emoción, me remueve el alma, tanto la Abuela como la música y la letra, mi Padre está mas cerca de irse de este mundo, me siento algo abatida por no poder ayudarlo como me gustaría por la distancia entre otras situaciones. Aunque ellos pidan que no lloremos por ellos es cuasi imposible. Le veo tan indefenso, delgado y sin fuerzas aunque su mente funciona muy bien, le hablo de su infancia, de sus amigos y vuelven a brillarle sus ojos, se emociona, sonríe. Está solito ahora, en el mismo lugar donde nació

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Fantastic thank you so much!

[@MarysiaKosowski]

Your grandma is amazing. I love listening to her song. :)

[@vakibs2]

The bird song in the background is a beautiful accompaniment to her song. :)

[@Zizie_sc]

She’s singing with them.. wether she’s aware of it or not.. but I’m sure she was well grounded ❤️😌

[@fatimarodrigues6499]

Sr Conder muito obrigada pelo emocionante vídeo !

[@siwainaojunior]

this is my language.

[@ishmaelaitorea325]

+siwainao junior .... kamanda.. lol

[@cliffordnamoriu7734]

史旺諾 u na less ba 😂

[@nathanieletega2610]

Wow, that was so amazing. The voice and the tune was gone with her who else will she take on her behave. I love that sound so much. Is it from Areare? Watching this in Dec 9. 2019

[@watemaesua2621]

While we appreciate the uniqueness of core culture, people turn to commercialized it for their own earn. Classic example is the Solomon Islands lullaby known as Afunakwa - Rorogwela sang in the deep forest where people use it in their music industry without the rightful owners. Actually the one sang by Deep forest who may have been taken by other country has been falsified as theirs without knowing what actually mean.

[@christopherconder3303]

Indeed. There is an interesting article by Hugo Zemp, who took the original field recordings here: www.posgrado.unam.mx/musica/div/pdf/GilBraga/The%20an%20ethnomusicologist%20and%20the%20record%20business.pdf

[@WhiteAmarylis]

Piękne ❤ Dziękuję😊

[@brianmanerama9328]

respect ❤❤❤

[@douglasmarape2029]

oko rioni masiha hainia teia.... she knows what she's doin' .. love dis papa keni

[@BananeHammond]

respect

[@hlengiwencayiyana2508]

Guys I am from South Africa this song was big here through Deep Forest..... Is this by any chance Afunakwa, and was she accredited financially for such a beaitifu lmelody on Sweet Lullaby?

[@christopherconder3303]

Hello, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It isn't Afunakwa, but Miriam Kaehanisiwa. Same people (the Are'Are) and same lullaby tradition but different singers.

[@benoitminfirgilbert4368]

👁‍🗨

[@EsotericOccultist]

[@tobiaskongbrailatpam8709]

If you’re a writer for traditional music or folk songs, go to Manipur.

[@christopherconder3303]

Thanks Tobias. I would love to one day. In fact, next year there is a chance I will be going to India, but to Chennai, which seems pretty far away.

[@adambrown8615]

Go with Gods blessings on your adventure

[@williamkuhns2387]

She is chewing betlenut. Her teeth are red.

[@skippyroo2278]

he asked have you been to england....how stupid............. I love deep forest

[@christopherconder3303]

Hello Peter, thank you for your comment. I strongly feel that calling strangers stupid on the internet helps make the world a better place for us all. Without meaning to put my stupidity under any doubt, I would explain that members of the 'Are'Are tribe from this village are in the group Narasirato, who have had international success. I met them first in England before eventually winding up visiting them. There are quite a few of them and I'm pretty bad with names and faces, hence asking if we had met before in England. Interestingly, the musicians in the Solomons I spoke to didn't love Deep Forest at all. I'm sure you'd like to support independent (if stupid) music journalism, so I'll let you buy a copy of fRoots magazine to find out more. It's issue 390 you'll want, available here: www.frootsmag.com/shop/backissues/index.html#BI410-11 Best wishes to you.

[@sfdntk]

Perfect response to a needlessly aggressive person, well played. Thanks very much for recording this, the opportunity to experience different cultures in this way is so vital to fostering a shared understanding of the world.

[@CycocelVocalist]

You took advantage and they took advantage. You were fooled. These are not the descendents of my Great x5 Aunt Afunakwa.

[@christopherconder3303]

I've not said she is a direct descendent of Afunakwa. But she is from the same group of people, the Are'Are'.