Saturday 29 October 2016

The Mentawai Notes (1)

This is a hunting song by the Mentawai:
RADDAT NAKE - RADDAT NAKE
BAPUPUILU - BAPUPUILU
KUT DOUROUNU - KUT DOUROUNU
KATALAGA TENA - TENA
KUKUKUW LOPAI - LOPAI

SANGA - SANGA LEMANDA
TAK KUKUIK
TAGE - TEGELI LELU
TAK KUKUIK

An approximate English translation of these lyrics is:

Bird,
Keep quiet
In the plain field
I have here my bow and arrow
If you sing
I will hunt you