Browse Titles - 2 results
Matai Samoa
directed by George Milner, fl. 1955-1989; produced by George Milner, fl. 1955-1989 (London, England: Royal Anthropological Institute, 1989), 1 hour 7 mins
This film is a valuable treatment of archival footage that George Milner shot while conducting field research in 1955 and 1959. The footage (eighteen minutes of the total film) focuses on traditional Samoan activities, such as fishing, cooking, house-building, hand-weaving, and bark-cloth making in preparation for...
Sample
directed by George Milner, fl. 1955-1989; produced by George Milner, fl. 1955-1989 (London, England: Royal Anthropological Institute, 1989), 1 hour 7 mins
Description
This film is a valuable treatment of archival footage that George Milner shot while conducting field research in 1955 and 1959. The footage (eighteen minutes of the total film) focuses on traditional Samoan activities, such as fishing, cooking, house-building, hand-weaving, and bark-cloth making in preparation for the formal installation (saofa'i) of a Samoan matai (a male titleholder responsible for the welfare, prosperity and good behaviour of...
This film is a valuable treatment of archival footage that George Milner shot while conducting field research in 1955 and 1959. The footage (eighteen minutes of the total film) focuses on traditional Samoan activities, such as fishing, cooking, house-building, hand-weaving, and bark-cloth making in preparation for the formal installation (saofa'i) of a Samoan matai (a male titleholder responsible for the welfare, prosperity and good behaviour of his extended family). This is one of the most important Samoan rites of passage. The ceremonies which validate his assumption of a new status are shown, both within the extended family and at the level of the village, whose existing titleholders formally acknowledge the new matai's right to a seat in council. Their approval is marked by the acceptance of gifts of goods and valuables, especially fine mats, which are of great importance. The musical sound track is of traditional songs recorded during the same period. Christina Toren, a South Pacific specialist, then interviews Reverend Lalomilo Kamu, a Samoan scholar currently at the University of Birmingham, about the previous footage and Samoan customs. In particular they discuss the formal preparation of a bowl of kava; the role of the taupou (ceremonial village virgin); the making of sinnet, the braided cord made from the fibres of coconut husk; the role of Samoan houses; cooking; the informal schooling of the young; the preparation of bark-cloth; and the process of hand-weaving. The interview provides a rare opportunity for viewers to hear a scholar from a filmed group comment on and explain the symbolism behind the pictures captured by the camera. The interview is quite detailed and is particularly useful for specialists in Polynesia or other regions of the South Pacific.
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Interview
Contributor
George Milner, fl. 1955-1989, Lalomilo Kamu, fl. 1989, Christina Toren, fl. 1989
Author / Creator
George Milner, fl. 1955-1989
Date Published / Released
1989
Publisher
Royal Anthropological Institute
Topic / Theme
Samoan, Social status, Landowners, Pacific Islander ethnic groups, Local customs, Religious rites and ceremonies, Crafts, Daily life, Cultural identity, Ethnography, Australian Aborigines
Copyright Message
Copyright © 1989. Used by permission of Royal Anthropological Institute. All rights reserved.
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Polka
directed by Robert Boonzajer-Flaes, fl. 1988; interview by Maarten Rens, fl. 1991 (London, England: Royal Anthropological Institute, 1986), 53 mins
The film confronts the accordion music of Chicano immigrants in southern Texas with the traditional music of accordion players in Austria. Without making any final judgments on the ‘roots’ of ‘conjunto’ music of the Chicanos, the film is able to reveal the different claims to ethnic identity. Most interest...
Sample
directed by Robert Boonzajer-Flaes, fl. 1988; interview by Maarten Rens, fl. 1991 (London, England: Royal Anthropological Institute, 1986), 53 mins
Description
The film confronts the accordion music of Chicano immigrants in southern Texas with the traditional music of accordion players in Austria. Without making any final judgments on the ‘roots’ of ‘conjunto’ music of the Chicanos, the film is able to reveal the different claims to ethnic identity. Most interestingly, Chicanos in Mexico and Texas and Austrians comment upon each others’ way of playing Polka.
Date Written / Recorded
1986-01
Field of Study
World Music
Content Type
Documentary, Interview
Contributor
Robert Boonzajer-Flaes, fl. 1988
Author / Creator
Robert Boonzajer-Flaes, fl. 1988, Maarten Rens, fl. 1991
Date Published / Released
1986
Publisher
Royal Anthropological Institute
Person Discussed
Pavo Garcia, Antonio Tanguma, Hias Kirchgasser, 1954-, Juan Tejeda, Valerio Longoria Sr., 1924-, Eddie "Lalo" Torres, Toby Torres, fl. 1986, Flaco Jiménez, 1939-, John Stark
Topic / Theme
Austrian, Mestizo, Chicano, Musical genres, Cultural identity, Music history, Ethnography, Austrians, Latinos
Copyright Message
Copyright 1986. Used by permission of Royal Anthropological Institute. All rights reserved.
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