Australian First Nations artists have joined forces with emerging Bougainvillean musicians to create a track that celebrates the wisdom of elders.
Pasin Tumbuna (Traditional Ways), released today through Wantok Musik, 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).
Recorded in Bougainville in October 2023, and inspired by the NAIDOC Week theme ‘For Our Elders’, the song blends rap and sounds from ancestral Bougainville and Indigenous Australian cultures, with the voices of local elders, Chief Mark Waraka and the late Chief Philip Buritoa. 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.
This is the second collaboration between the acclaimed First Nations artists and Bougainvillean youth following the highly successful track, Wan Solwara (One Ocean), recorded in 2022 and launched through Wantok Musik last year. The 2023 NAIDOC theme struck a chord with the young Bougainvilleans “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.
Emma Getsi, 2023 Bougainville Voice X-Plosion 3rd prize winner performing during the event.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100