| Bib ID |
4362698 |
| Format |
Audio [sound recording] , Online - Google Books |
| Author |
|
| Access Conditions |
Access open for research, personal copies and public use. |
| Description |
2007
1 sound file.
|
| Series |
Torres Strait songs project
|
| Summary |
Ted Billy has lived on Warraber Island all his life. He talks about his first memories of music and dance at school; Torres Strait Islander (TSI) birthday and weddings parties; dances and celebrations for school; learning music and dance from his parents who were role models for the TSI culture; his uncles and community leaders role in teaching TSI culture; the stories told in songs being mostly about the environment; lugger songs; singing bringing joy, keeping him in contact with the story within a song and why it was written; songs bringing healing via spiritual contact with nature; songs being written mostly by men; church music; women singing songs; playing the warup drum and guitar; his love of music.
Billy discusses the Islanders learning to sing, dance and play instruments; skills being handed down; how the music and dance has changed over the years, mainly due to kids leaving the island for school; the loss of language having a big impact; understanding kala lagaw ya language but not being able to speak it well; the Torres Strait Regional Authority music and dance project helping to preserve culture; encouraging Elders to share their knowledge; the role of Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) to encourage preservation of cultural knowledge; the studio recording and being pleased with the finished product; being glad for opportunity to document cultural knowledge for future generations.
|
| Biography/History |
Ted Billy, is a Torres Strait islander who is a employee of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, the current Chairperson of the Island Council and a singer-songwriter.
|
| Notes |
The interview is conducted in English and Torres Strait Creole.
Recorded on September 26, 2007 on Warraber Island, Qld.
Digital master; National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore collection;
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| Index/Finding Aid Note |
Timed summary (3 p.) |
| Subjects |
Billy, Ted, - 1957- - Interviews. | Musicians - Queensland - Torres Strait Islands. | Torres Strait Islanders - Music. | Torres Strait Islands (Qld.) - Social life and customs. | Torres Strait Islands (Qld.) - Languages.
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| Occupation |
Musicians. | Public servants |
| Other authors/contributors |
Kepa, William, 1982-, Interviewer | Torres Strait Regional Authority
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| Related records |
Torres Strait songs project
|