MW6-021 - Interview with Pilemon ToKilang and Osnil Tavil

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Tape# 1: Background and Musical Journey of Pilemon ToKilang and Stories with Osnil Tavil. Side A & B; Pilemon ToKilang was born in Viviran village in early 1900s' when his father was serving as an ordained Methodist pastor. It was the time of German New Guinea rule then Australian administration after the first world war. He was named after a chief Pilemon ToKilang who was instrumental in the introduction of the Christianity faith to Viviran during the time of batter trading from inland foods in taro in exchange for coastal foods of fish and the item of "kabang"or powdery white substance made from reef coral used for chewing bettle nuts or "buai". The Viviran ToKilang requested from chiefs and people of Vunamami to obtain the Christian church faith "Lotu" to the people of Viviran then for the Toma valley area. Pilemon started his early years working with expatriate colonisers, played sports mainly soccer and exposed to guitar music towards mid 1930s'. They guitar styles were 5-key, 3-key, blue mountain strumming and picking with composed Kuanua songs performing in various places in Gazelle Peninsula. Pilemon learnt and practiced and introduced traditional music Äbot"song and dance not part of the Tolai culture but brought in from New Ireland in the Siar area of Namatanai and Duke of York islands. The "Abot" music was introduced by people working in Kokopo and Rabaul in plantations and working for colonial masters during the German and Australian administrations. The Tolai people such as Pilemon from Vunamami were pioneers of this typle of music which was popular in Nodup, Matupit and Raluana areas. The ÄBot" music differs ïn its style to the traditional Tolai songs and dance practiced such as "Kulau, Vutung, Pinpidik, Bilolo, Goigoi" etc. These dances have its connections also from the Namatanai area of New Ireland. The "Abot" dance style can be performed by both male and female in circle format around the slit drum "garamut"with men in inner and women in the outer. The other introduced traditional dance from New Ireland is "Kaka"or coconut shells with different style in its song and dance. Various Äbot"songs demonstrated or from earlier recordings played power bands include; Han buruk, Kaka, Haus bensin, Engineer boy England and are mixed in languages of combination of Tok Pisin, Siar, Namatanai/New Ireland, Ramoaina, Duke of Yoks and Kuanua, Gazelle Peninsula. (Steven Gagau, July 2019). Language as given: