Australian First Nations artists collaborate once again with emerging Bougainville musicians to create a track that celebrates the wisdom of elders with the song titled, “Pasin Tumbuna” (Traditional Ways).
“Pasin Tumbuna” was released on 5th July, thanks to Wantok Musik.
The song features Adrian Tjupurrula (Tjupurru) Fabila and his son Jake, with 2023 Bougainville Voice X-Plosion contestants, Wenceslaus Getsi Jnr, Samuel Taipiri, Emma Getsi, Esther Kommai, Jenitha Hemison and Solomon Satoriri. Other contributors include Richard Mogu (vocals, bass & drums), David Bridie (keyboards), Melchior Wagum (bamboo flutes & guitars), Bernard Hanga and Tsarlayse Iamu (vocals).
Inspired by the NAIDOC Week theme ‘For Our Elders’ and recorded in Bougainville in October 2023, its lyrics were co-written by the Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Community Development, Hon. Morris Opeti, Richard Mogu, Tsarlayse Iamu, Jake Fabila, and late Chief Philip.
The song blends rap and sounds from ancestral Bougainville and Indigenous Australian cultures. Including the voices of local elders, Chief Mark Waraka and the late Chief Philip Buritoa.
This is the second follows the highly successful track, Wansolwara (One Ocean), recorded in 2022 and launched through Wantok Musik last year.
The 2023 NAIDOC theme struck a chord with the Bougainville youth, “we want the next generation to tap into what we’ve learned from our elders and carry on their legacy”, said Samuel.
Pasin Tumbuna was mixed in Buka by local sound engineer Melchior Wagum with Richard Mogu, David Bridie and Dave Walker and mastered by Wantok Musik sound engineers in Australia.
The initiative is a partnership between the Australian Government, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and Wantok Musik, through Australia’s Bougainville Partnership Youth Initiative.
The track is dedicated to late Chief Philip.
More Information on the track can be found in the link provided https://www.facebook.com/wantokmusik/.