We are pleased to announce the publication of Re-counting Knowledge in Song: Change Reflected in Kaulong Music by Birgit Drüppel. This book was officially launched at the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies by Dr Jacob Simet, Executive Director, National Cultural Commission, on 16 November 2009.

Re-counting Knowledge in Song is a musical ethnography that is a base study of the music traditions of the Kaulong people near the south coast of West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. It embodies the description and structural analysis of traditional Kaulong music in its vocal, instrumental, and vocal-instrumental forms, song and dance celebrations (singsing) being the largest events which establish and strengthen family and trade relationships. Historical events, such as the colonialisation by Germans and Australians, and the consequent advancement of the Catholic Mission, had a lasting influence on traditional culture and music. In particular, the mission was the most influential, facilitating the penetration of non-Kaulong cultural elements into Kaulong tradition. By adopting Christianity, the Kaulong reacted to a new, broader world view which is translated into music. Traditional singsing became less important and lost some of their meaning, while trade contacts with the neighbouring coastal area (Kaul speakers) became frequent and resulted in the adoption of local coastalsingsing, as well as singsing from indirect trading partners in Kilenge (singsing tumbuan) and Siassi (singsing sia). New music genres such as kwaia (Christian choir music) developed and, after national independence, stringbands formed which play popular music at state celebrations and sosol (social gatherings).

Re-counting Knowledge in Song is the tenth volume in the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies series, Apwitihire: Studies in Papua New Guinea Musics. Copies are available for PGK 20.00.

Copies and overseas ordering information can be obtained from:
IPNGS
Box 1432
Boroko 111
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
tel.: +675 325-4644
fax: +675 325-0531
email: ipngs@global.net.pg, dniles.ipngs@gmail.com