Description
This traditional song, Eku Rakwa Nama is an Aroma Marshall Lagoon lament about misogyny and domestic violence. It is a folk song from Kapari village and the composer of this folk song is a woman and she's unnamed. But she is in an abusive relationship and names her husband who abuses her daily. The story goes that one day she decided it's enough and walked out of the house and left home, walking along the beach and crossing rivers and streams to find her beautiful home hoping she sees that her mom and dad are coming to fetch her rescue her.
Unfortunately she hasn't made it so clear message to all that No Violence to Women, which is very topical these days.
Song Lyrics:
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no ... reia!
Rei rei ina pewariku e e
Mani valu pege rivo era e
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
Rei rei ina pewariku e e
Mani valu pege rivo era e
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
Ava viri veni, viri veni ANA - - -
Ava thoa veni, thoa veni ANI
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
Ava viri veni, viri veni ANA - - -
Ava thoa veni, thoa veni ANI
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
No inaku natha, no amaku natha
Pege iaku, pege agi e ...
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
No inaku natha, no amaku natha
Pege iaku, pege agi e ...
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no
Eku rakwa nama, gavu rivo nama, eku rakwa no ... reia!
(Deveni Temu and PNG Peroveta Singers Canberra, February 2023)