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Themusic ofKiribati has been less affected byWestern culture than most other Pacific island cultures since Europeans did not arrive in Kiribati until 1892.[1] Thenational anthem of Kiribati is "Kunan Kiribati" (Song of Kiribati), byI.T. Uriam; it was adopted upon independence in 1979.[2]
Kiribati folk music is generally based onchanting or other forms of vocalizing, accompanied bybody percussion. Public performances in modern Kiribati are generally performed by a seated chorus, accompanied by a guitar. However, during formal performances of the standing dance (Te Kaimatoa) or the hip dance (Te Buki) a wooden box is used as a percussion instrument. This box is constructed so as to give a hollow and reverberating tone when struck simultaneously by a chorus of men sitting around it. Traditional songs are often love-themed, but there are also competitive, religious, children's, patriotic, war and wedding songs.[3] There are alsostick dances (which accompany legends and semi-historical stories.[1] These stick dances or 'tirere' (pronounced seerere) are only performed during major festivals.
In 1963Gerd Koch filmed onTabiteuea traditional dances and songs of theruoia series: thekawawa, the introductory song and dance; thekamei with a dance leader, thewan tarawa and thekabuakaka; and abino song and dance complete with accompanying arm movements. Koch also filmed traditions songs and dances onOnotoa andNonouti.[4][5]
Bata Teinamati has been described as one of Kiribati's most notable musicians.[6]
Its traditional music is composed by people known aste kainikamaen. These composers are said to receive their songs from myth or magic, an ability that is said to pass from father to son. After composition, a group calledrurubene sings the song to the composer, after which it is made public and is sung by anyone; at this point, the song is considered blessed (mamiraki).[3]
Composers also write songs on demand, telling a story told to him by an individual. The composer will then sing it and teach it to therurubene, making any needed changes. Composers also occasionally create songs of their own accord.[3]
Nowadays, not all music in Kiribati is composed by people known as te kainikamaen because of civilization and because of the introduction of western music, rather almost anyone can compose a song and sing it but he/she needs to count is as a song from a poem not from myth or magic otherwise there may be curses as part of the Kiribati Beliefs. Curses include: losing of hair and sudden death.