This release is a way for us to share 'Our Island' beyond the song, its 60-page booklet gives full lyric translations along with artists' insights into their songs, and illustrations of the artists created from cultural elements and nature grant us a pathway to explore their cultural perspectives. With a hands-on meditation of creating your own globe, ‘Our Island’ is in your hands.
‘Our Island’ was recorded remotely from our island homes. Many of us have never met in person, we are yet to discover if we have legs. Online we shared our stories, songs, concerns and loves, usually interrupted by Sammy’s spontaneous Kabosy solos, Putad, Vaiteani & Luc’s children or our internet freezing again (even in the tropics!).
We could support each other in our concerns for our planet, we know at times these feelings are overwhelming, that’s a healthy response, but know you are not alone, there are many sharing these feelings. We are a part of a movement, a momentum for cultural change which puts our relationship to our planet at its core.
Available at our concerts, bandcamp & our website.
#1 Trans Global Music Chart 2022 Feb
Nominated - 2022 Golden Melody Awards TAIWAN - Best Indigenous Album & Album of the Year
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about
From Putad -
I wrote Pinagsanga because my chicken
was killed by a wild dog. I was furious, I was
sad but it reminded me nature is full of life
and energy that’s not controlled by humans.
That led me thinking about my own near-death
experience when my brother and I just moved
back into our community. We were dragged
out into the sea because we didn’t observe
the current and didn't respect the flow of the
ocean. We were out in the wild ocean for 50
minutes, saying our last words to each other,
and I thought about ‘Kawas’ then. After that
experience, I learned how to respect ‘Kawas’, respect
the law of nature.
In the beginning of the song, I also invited my
grandmother, my mother, myself and my daughter,
four generations of ocean women, to contribute an
Amis spoken word piece about the importance of
passing down our culture through the line of women.
The song became even stronger after my Austronesian
families contributed with chants and instruments.
I’d like to dedicate this song to ‘Kawas’, to our
ancestral spirits.
lyrics
Intro Spoken Word original spoken in Amis by -
Putad Pihay (Putad's grandmother) - Following our ancestors, we are the lineage of our people.
Siku Pihay (Putad's mother), - Through our mothers
Putad - Maintaining the connection to our land
Liyad (Putad's daughter) - Mother
Originally sung by Putad in Amis of Taiwan
I can not change the law of nature
I can not change the nature of animals
I’m so insignificant
Failed to protect
It’s calling me
It’s laughing at me
Humans bite off more than we can chew
Kawas is in control
The law of nature
credits
from Our Island,
track released January 28, 2022
Title in English — Nature
Songwriter — Putad
Arrangement — Tim Cole
I love these women. the voices mesh together perfectly; also the world music is exceptional. I have all of their albums and they're all excellent. Give them a listen. Steve Lake
