Kakailai

SONGS IN KUANUA (AUMANA KAKAILAI)

The songs appear here are not my compositions but written from childhood memory and intended for sharing with other Kuanua speakers who may wish to pass on to their children. They formed part of the children's literature in both primary and high school during my school days.

Photo:  Ismael Isikel

A Kuvur

A Kuvur is a song about the long sea travels that Tolai men undertook in the past to search for shells used in making traditional money. They traveled as far as Nakanai in the west of the island to trade for the shells because it was plentiful at Nakanai. Many times during their travels night birds would fly past above them. They could tell a bird by its chirping and one of them is the Kuvur, also known as Kuk. It is called Kuk because it chirps high pitched kuuuk sound during flight or when perched on a tree..

A kuvur itangtangi tauni avet.

A kuvur itangtangi tauni avet.

Ubara ra lolalolo.

Avet ta takpa ra palatabu.

Akana Towarubu,

Ra kalevovor.

Kongkong Iki Ra Wiliwil

This is about a Chinese riding a bicycle carrying a parcel of vegetables known in Kuanua as pepenge.

Kongkong iki ra wiliwil.

Ikap ra pupulu na pepenge.

Akave kana gunan?

Nat na beo ipukai.

Lawit, lawit, lawit.

Nat Na Tenge

A tenge is a wren and this one is about a wren that was trapped on a rosewood tree.

Iau gire ra nat na tenge,

Iki tara buringai bulbulit.

ToWilem idek wake,

Ma inongonongone.

Una mai Talaigu,

Dora tun ra dor beo.

Ivirua tara bulit, bulit, bulit.

Tenten Maro Malakuna

The rover from Malakuna is an expert hunter and his dog is the best in catching pigs.

Tenten maro Malakuna,

A tena rowarowoi.

Kana pap a tene tuna,

Kana pap a tene tuna.

Ikorot raumana boroi.

Loko ai ra luluai.

Una pam ra likutan.

Am ta wuana magitana.

Una karat ra limana.

Una pam, (una pam), una pam, (una pam).

Am ta wua-na magitana.