MW6-056 - Nidok Ceremony , Junior Painim Wok, Balaguan Dances, Vunalaka

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Video Casette#1: Nidok ceremony, Video Clip recording by PGS, Dances at Balaguan (Oscar Tovue, Vunalaka) The "nidok" ceremony is performed publicly for the initiation for the men of the clan where the initiated are the next generation of clan members who will then perform these activities to honour the current crop of initiated men. This ensures the survival of the clan’s legacy, including land ownership and cultural identity. The recording of the ceremony involved "tubuan" dancers and feasting with food kept in woven coconeut leaves baskets for distribution to clan members of the "nidok", clan members and general people supporting the ceremony by attendance and acknowledgement of their participation. The video clip filming was by Pacific Gold Studios Greg Seeto on Junior Painim Wok band for their album production with a village setting and lifestyle for the composed songs. The "balaguan" ceremony is a means to draw together people in Tolai communities to assert and honour the cultural, social structure and identity of the clan or "vunatarai" organising the event. It is about feasting and various traditional dance performers. There are various types of song and dance based on life experiences, events, the environment, birds and animals, and human interactions. Traditional Tolai songs and dances may be performed by both males and females together while others are restricted to one gender. Traditional instrument used for beats, rhythm for the song and dance are kundu (hollow wooden drum with lizard skin), pakupak (slit bamboo) and tidir (bamboo or wooden sticks). The garamut (wooden slit drum) beaten by cane sticks and wooden stick depending on type or dance are mainly for tubuan or more special ceremonies. Generally, the typical male, female or combined traditional Tolai song and dance types of performances are; 1. Mix (Male and female): Libung, Bilolo 2. Female: Wutung, Parpari, Patete 3. Male: Perapere, Kulau, Pinpidik, Tabaran, Tubuan (Steven Gagau, October 2019). Language as given: