Singing "the old music from long long ago" - 16.6mins
4 ancient, funny and feisty women from Kampung Borani near Bajawa hill town in Flores [Indonesia] grapple with recalling all the words to "the old songs from long long ago". I was informed that there are 2 types of such song forms ... Teke for more formal events ... and Seuaze which is usually sung at more casual occasions such as after a days work in the fields etc. The songs recorded were mostly Seuaze.
The recording here shows this process of summoning the old songs through several takes of a song ... interspersed with various arguments, laughter and remembering new fragments ... taking them straight on to a new take. Finally they all come together for a fairly complete rendition of each song.
Around a half dozen villagers who knew some of the old songs were drawn in to join and fill out the acappella group. Upon completion of the recording session ... the old women seemed immensly pleased to be honoured and given the opportunity to come together and summon the old times.
The recording session took place in the living-room of a long time friend of mine, Florian Lengu, who also organized the event.