Synopses & Reviews
Sir Raymond Firth is the most distinguished living British anthropologist, and one also internationally acclaimed. His latest work forms part of one of the fullest and most professional ethnographic accounts by any anthropologist of a nonindustrial people, an account which extends over many years. This book is about the songs of a Western Pacific people, the Tikopia, who until recently lived entirely on a small remote island of the Solomons. Their songs vary from lively dance chants to mournful funeral laments. All are novel to western ears. The book provides about 100 examples in text and in translation, discusses the relationship of the songs to the social life of the people, and includes an analysis of the structure of their music by Mervyn McClean, a noted musicologist. A cassette which reproduces about 30 of the songs that appear in the book is also available.
Review
"Raymond Firth sets out to provide a detailed empirical study of the social context of Tikopia song, and this he does.... [a] sensitive treatment of Tikopia song and culture." The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology"This is an excellent book if one appreciates reality and empiricism, written by the best author of ethnology of Polynesia, presenting us with rare, perhaps unique, Polynesian material....Firth has written another classic." Ethnohistory"What is truly remarkable is the vivid portrayal here of Tikopia song, performance, and aesthetics in photograph, song text, translation, and description. This is fortunate for all students of the Pacific, and for the Tikopia themselves." American Anthropologist"The commentary itself is very interesting...sensitive treatment of Tikopia song and culture..." Ellen E. Facey, The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology
Synopsis
Written by one of the most distinguished British anthropologists, this book is a theoretical study of aesthetic integration, showing how the poetry and music of a people can have an intimate relation with their social life. This work has important comparative value both for ethnography and for ethnomusicology. Over 100 songs of the Tikopia, a Polynesian people of the Solomon Islands, are provided, with vernacular text, translation and commentary. There is also an analysis of the structure of Tikopia music, by Mervyn McLean, a noted musicologist.
Synopsis
Written by the most distinguished living British anthropologist, this book is a theoretical study of aesthetic integration, showing how the poetry and music of a people can have an intimate relation with their social life. Breaking new ground, the work has important comparative value both for ethnography and for ethnomusicology. Over 100 songs of the Tikopia, a Polynesian people of the Solomon Islands, are provided, with vernacular text, translation, and commentary. There is also an analysis of the structure of Tikopia music, by Mervyn McLean, a noted musicologist. A cassette, published simultaneously, reproduces about 30 of the songs from the book.
Table of Contents
Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. General: 1. The nature of Tikopia song; 2. Tikopia poetic language and imagery; 3. Funeral and mourning as musical occasions; 4. Dance and song; Part II. Musical Analysis Mervyn McLean: 5. The structure of Tikopia music; Part III. Song Texts, Translations and Commentary: 6. Dance songs of everyday life; 7. Songs of the sea and of travel; 8. Eulogies and farewells; 9. Songs of protest and criticism; 10. Songs of erotic arousal and sex antagonism; 11. Laments and funeral dirges; 12. Songs on historical and mythic themes, and of ritual quality; 13. Epilogue; Appendices; References; Index.