Taruru, Aboriginal Song Poetry from the Pilbara

Description

'Taruru gives fascinating proof that Aboriginal culture is still alive and flourishing, and has even entered another dimension because of white influence. The book contains a selection, translation, and annotation of songs composed by modern Aborigines. They follow the same conventions as the tabis and similar songs which young men of the Pilbara region of Western Australia were taught to compose during their initiation period, long before the white man came. Tabis are "individual" songs, used to describe physical or spiritual feelings or experiences. Some, in their use of a few words to evoke a mood, have a kinship with Japanese Haiku.' Collection of 80 song poems from the Pilbara region of W.A.; Brief description of changes which have occurred since European intrusion; Draws a distinction between group (corroboree) singing and individual (tabi) singing, for which songs are composed by young men during their initiation years; content of tabi, both traditional and changed, their personalized nature, general music patterns, and stylistic devices; Three transcripts of tabi, with music notation from A. McCardells Tabi Songs of the Pilbara, a Musical Survey are given; Each of the 80 tabi are given in the original language (Jindjiparndi, Karierra, Ngarluma, Njamal, Marduthunira, Njijapali, Wadjarri, Nugan (Taakurda), Nanakari, West Ngarluma, Njangumarda, or Ngarla), in English translation and are annotated with explanatory notes; composers name given for each piece.