Lek Mak: A Footprint From Bougainville / Hamoris Lian Timor: Reviving the Sound of Timor

These new ethnographic-oriented albums document recent Pacific projects initiated by Australian-based label Wantok Musik in the two formerly war-torn island nations of Bougainville and Timor-Leste (East Timor). Encouraging connections in both countries between younger up-and-coming musicians and their local community elders, the aim is to ensure the regions’ unique songs, languages and history are properly passed on, while the elders are still able to do so.

Lek Mak celebrates the distinctive Pacific culture of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, which includes Buka and several smaller islands that lie between Papua New Guinea and the northern tip of the Solomon Islands archipelago. Previously considered part of PNG, there have been growing calls for local control of Bougainville, following a 2019 referendum which found 98% of local residents supported becoming a full independent nation. Produced by veteran Australian musician and Wantok Musik founder David Bridie and Bougainville drummer Ben Hakalitz, this collection of Melanesian songs features string bands, kaur (bamboo panpipe) groups and lotu (church) gospel singing from local towns and villages, along with plenty of intricate Pacific percussion rhythms. The Rhythm Yard Contemporary Band delivers two upbeat songs – ‘Kukurai’ and ‘Upe’ – while the Wenceslaus Getsi Contemporary Group offers the more relaxed ‘Banbanama’. Elsewhere, the Toubanis Cultural Group drums up a powerful storm on ‘A Toubanis’, the Baubuogu Womens Group contributes the sweet-voiced ‘Mamatau’, and solo artist Koyawa sings a delightful panpipe-enhanced ‘Dane’. With Bougainvilleans expecting to become inhabitants of the world’s newest country in 2027, these lively recordings of both traditional and contemporary songs are a timely and welcome introduction to the region’s unique music.

Timor-Leste (East Timor) has a more complicated history, which includes 18th century Portuguese colonialism, guerrilla warfare and the fledgling Southeast Asian country’s original declaration of independence in 1975, which was short-lived and quickly followed by Indonesia’s full-scale invasion and brutal occupation (which lasted until 1999). After much bloodshed and a temporary period of UN Administration, Timor-Leste’s own sovereign independence was finally re-established in 2002. But despite its historic difficulties, the distinct Timor culture has survived and continues to flourish at home and abroad. Geographically close to both Indonesia and Australia, with a mixed Austronesian-Papuan-Portuguese-speaking population of 1.5 million, the Timorese diaspora also extends to small but important communities in Australia and Portugal. Hamoris Lian Timor (Reviving the Sound of Timor) highlights those strong cultural connections, featuring songs, dances and stories from a variety of Timorese performers. With an accompanying short film and recent live performances in both Australia and Timor-Leste, the project’s repertoire spans from old traditional tunes and chants, to resistance anthems from the independence struggle and new songs addressing contemporary social topics. Utilising guitars, violins, mandolins, bamboo instruments and gamelan-type gongs, standout tunes include the energetic ‘Hori Uluk Hori Wain’ from Dare’s Fatsuka Band, the gently acoustic ‘Arbau Ana Te Furin’ by Dili’s Lafaek Band, and Kokolo Lakadu’s rhythmic ‘Kelu Hiri’. Grounded in place, culture and history, both these wonderful albums provide hope for their people, as well as an insightful and valuable education for listeners worldwide.