Kama wosi: music in the Trobriand Islands

One of a trilogy, this films deals with the poetic and image content of the songs of the Trobriand people. With the use of narration and English subtitles, the traditional songs and dances, which comment on everyday situations of village life, garden magic, love, anecdotes, sea-faring, mourning and spiritual beliefs are explained. Instruments, native to the Trobriand Islanders, are highlighted. Narrated by Roger Hauofa.

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Credits

director

Les McLaren

production company

Australian Film Commission

Nomad Films

Duration

00:47:58:00

Production places

Australia

Production dates

1979

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

015619

Language

English

Subject categories

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Anthropology

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Papua New Guinea - Social life and customs

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Trobriand Islands - Social life and customs

Documentary

Documentary → Documentary films - Australia

History → Anthropology

Music & Performing Arts → Music - Papua New Guinea

Music & Performing Arts → Musical instruments

Short films

Short films → Short films - Australia

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Holdings

16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)

Please note: this archive is an ongoing body of work. Sometimes the credit information (director, year etc) isn’t available so these fields may be left blank; we are progressively filling these in with further research.

Cite this work on Wikipedia

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/77379--kama-wosi-music-in-the-trobriand-islands/ |title=Kama wosi: music in the Trobriand Islands |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=21 May 2025 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}

Australia, 1979

Please note