George Kingsley Roth Fiji Collection

Gong beating

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:13:33

  • Shelf mark

    C28/1

  • Subjects

    Lali (gong)

  • Recording date

    1957-05 and 1955-08

  • Is part of (Collection)

    George Kingsley Roth Fiji Collection

  • Recording locations

    Suva, Fiji and Lau, Fiji

  • Performers

    unidentified, (lali)

  • Recordist

    Fiji Broadcasting Commission

  • Speakers

    Roth, George Kingsley, 1903-1960, (speaker, male)

  • Description

    These are nine examples of gong beating played on drums called lali recorded in Suva. The first calls the strong men to defend the village from attack and orders the old men, women and children to hide in the bush or caves. The second warns that the village is burning. The third announces that a body has been brought into the village for eating. The fourth invites heathen villages to become Christian. The fifth proclaims an end to fighting and the beginning of peace. The sixth is a call to morning worship or prayer. The seventh calls chiefs to assemble for discussion or feasting. The eighth accompanies the corpse of a dead chief to the burying ground. The ninth announces a prohibition on making noise in the village. Number two is repeated. The seventh lali tune is next recorded on location in the Lau Islands with a descriptive voice-over.

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Gong beating

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