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The Republic of Kiribati consists of thirty-three islands or atolls spread across a wide expanse of the Central Pacific Ocean and astride the equator. Each of the islands or atolls of Kiribati is in its own way fascinating and unique in terms of both its geography and its culture. The complexity and diversity of this culture is a source of ongoing fascination to students of Oceania throughout the world. By means of these Web pages it is my intention to provide both an insight and overview to the wonderful cultures of the islands of Kiribati. |
I hope that you will join me as we explore the Creation, Origins, Tradition, Early Contact with Traders, Whalers and other Europeans, Language, Culture, Social Structure, Communications, Fishing and the Future of this most unique country called the Republic of Kiribati.
Thank you all and please enjoy this fascinating journey!
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THE LURE OF THE DRUM - A POEM OF KIRIBATI
By Jane Resture
It was a peaceful day on a Kiribati isle
The sound of the
children at play
With men and women at
their work
It was a scene of
peace and love.
From a distant place
a drum was heard
The start of a
mesmerising beat
In time with the
sound of the waves
And the rustle of the
wind in the trees.
The wind carried the
sound across the lagoon
Where it swirled amid
the huts and the trees
All work was stopped and play put aside
Replaced by the stomping of feet.
Many hands beat the
drum and hearts beat as one
With a feeling so
pure and complete
And people gathered
at the sound of the drum
To sing songs and to
dance and sway.
Songs of their gods
from days of old
When proud sailors roamed the seas
Songs of their lives on tropical isles
And love songs so
tragic and sweet.
One cannot explain
the lure of the drum
That unites our
people to be as one
To dance and sing
like days of old
When magic and ritual
together unfold.
When the lure of the
past and the lure of the drum
Combine together to
be as one
It is a lure so
strong and pure
That binds our lives
for evermore.
It was another
peaceful day on a Kiribati isle
The sound of the
children at play
With men and women
at their work
It was a scene of
peace and love.
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Welcome everybody to Micronesia Music Anthology which is available on The anthology can be accessed by clicking on the 'Broadcast Schedule' after logging in to Micronesia Music Radio. This should allow you to determine when the anthology is available in your part of the world. For example, in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Australia, the anthology is available at 12 noon each Saturday. In Kiribati, the anthology is available each Saturday afternoon at 2 pm; California at 7 pm each Friday evening; New York at 10 pm each Friday evening, along with Florida and Boston, Massachusetts, USA, etc. The anthology runs for 90 minutes in which the traditional chants are introduced, including many from Kiribati, followed by the beautiful traditional and contemporary songs of Micronesia. Thank you! The schedule can also be accessed here
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Pacific Islands Radio Stations
