Bougainville Voices was recorded in central Bougainville in 1998 by musicologist Justin Tonti-Filippini at the personal invitation of Bougainville's leaders. He began work as soon as a truce was brokered on the war-torn island that has been fighting for its independence. The island has been isolated for a decade by a military blockade imposed by the government of Papua New Guinea, with the Australian government's backing.

The CD contains a generous program of traditional Bougainville music, beginning with the sounds of a typical day in Bougainville: preparing breakfast, working in the gardens, light rain, water falls and the rich forest “orchestra” at night. The traditional garamat drum beats and the unique, upbeat sound of the bamboo bass, played by striking the open ends of carefully tuned lengths of bamboo with rubber thongs, are a revelation.

Bougainville Voices is an important recording, essential listening for anyone in an interest in indigenous Pacific politics and culture. Order Bougainville Voices at <http://www.ecosonics.com>.

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