Songs in Kewa
Author(s)
Title
Songs in Kewa
Publication Type
Language
eng
Number of Pages
9
Location
Papua New Guinea
Keywords
music
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
Description
Examples of Kewa festival songs are linguistically analysed. Such festivals concern the exchange of pork to pay debts, demonstrate wealth, cultivate new exchange partners, and further confirm existing relationships. The basic dance movement of marching up and down the dance ground is described. Songs are then analysed to understand their linguistic and social meanings. Interpretations are difficult, and there is often not a simple consensus on such meanings
hence, several possible interpretations or implications of these songs are presented. Eight separate songs are presented in the Kewa language, followed by semi-literal translations and suggestions for understanding the metaphors of the songs. The songs are filled with hidden meanings, some of which will be immediately clear to insiders but lost to outsiders. Finally, the metaphoric significance cannot be immediately deduced from the linguistic forms.
Book/Journal Title
Publisher
Australian National University
Place of Publication
Canberra
Date of Publication
1978
Pages
389-397
ISBN
0-85883-182-1
Academic Field
linguistics
ethnomusicology
Community/Ethnic Group
Kewa
Southern Highlands
Contributor
Active Contribution
Papua New Guinea, FY 2024