29 min
Sounds of home – how slit drums became the heartbeat of the Pacific Culture Compass
-
- Society & Culture
"Once those drums play, I'm home."
It's a long way for Michael Chow to travel to visit his family on Bipi Island in Papua New Guinea. But when he hears the beat of the garamut – the slit drum from his island – it's as if he is really there.
Across the Pacific, drumming is so much more than just for entertainment. For Henry Franheim, it connects him back to Rarotonga, and Tiani Liufau's family beats link back to Tahiti and Samoa.
So what's so special about our rhythmic obsession – and how future-proof is this practice?
Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.
"Once those drums play, I'm home."
It's a long way for Michael Chow to travel to visit his family on Bipi Island in Papua New Guinea. But when he hears the beat of the garamut – the slit drum from his island – it's as if he is really there.
Across the Pacific, drumming is so much more than just for entertainment. For Henry Franheim, it connects him back to Rarotonga, and Tiani Liufau's family beats link back to Tahiti and Samoa.
So what's so special about our rhythmic obsession – and how future-proof is this practice?
Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.
29 min