Gurejele - Kaneka Music From New Caledonia

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update - March 29, 2024

This post showcases five music videos from the New Caledonian Kaneka music group "Gurejele".

The content of this post is presented for entertainment and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers and performers of these songs. Thanks also to those whose comments I quoted and to the producers and uploaders of this video.

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INFORMATION ABOUT NEW CALEDONIA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonia
"New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie) is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 1,210 kilometres (750 mi) east of Australia and 16,136 kilometres (10,026 mi) east of Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines and a few remote islets. The Chesterfield Islands in the Coral Sea are also part of New Caledonia. Locals refer to Grande Terre as "Le Caillou", the stone."...
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From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16740838
[New Caledonia is] "Named by the British explorer Captain James Cook, who spotted similarities with the Scottish highlands, the territory was annexed by France in 1853...

The indigenous Melanesians, [are] known as Kanaks. Kanaks represent about 45% of the population. Europeans, most of them born in the territory, account for about a third of the inhabitants.

The archipelago, which lies around 2,000 km from Sydney, Australia, possesses around a quarter of the world's nickel deposits. The industry boomed in the 1960s but is a hostage to price fluctuations. Nevertheless, New Caledonia enjoys one of the region's highest average incomes per capita.

The main island, Grande Terre, is ringed by a coral reef. Mountains divide the verdant east from a drier west. The territory boasts abundant plant and animal life. Colonial buildings and fine beaches contrast with the infrastructure of the nickel industry."
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Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia for general information about Melanesia.

Also, read the comment that I wrote below about why I chose to showcase Melanesian music on this blog.

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INFORMATION ABOUT KANEKA MUSIC AND GUREJELE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_New_Caledonia
"The music of New Caledonia is rooted in the Melanesian tradition. The Pacific Tempo is an important music festival, held every three years in Noumea; the biennial equinox is also an important celebration.

Modern popular performers include OK! Ryos, Edou and Gurejele, who are at the forefront of the popular Kaneka movement, which began in the mid-1980s. Kaneka fuses traditional styles with pop and world music. The most well-known modern record label on New Caledonia is Alain Lecante's Mangrove Studios, which distributes much of the Kaneka music."
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From http://pc-pdx.com/bands/gurejele
"Gurejele - A major group hailing from New Caledonia, playing music in the Kanaka movement. The group come from the island of Mare and are widely know across the Melanasian nations of the pacific. Some of their tours include Vanuatu, Napuan Festival - 1998, as well as the Solomon Islands where Honiara's stage was filled."

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FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in no particular order.)
Unfortunately, I don't speak or read any language but English. I'm very interested in knowing the titles & themes in English of all pf these featured songs. Unfortunately, I don't speak or read any language but English.


Video #1: Gurejele - Watolea (Flag)



Uploaded by Michelyse7070 on Oct 28, 2011

PROMOTION DE LA MUSIQUE KANEKA.
From http://www.facebook.com/freewestpapua/posts/258080800941835
"A freedom song from the heart of the South Pacific. New Caledonia is a Melanesian Island under French Colonial rule. The local Kanak band, Gurejele wrote this song "Watolea" which means Flag, in condemnation of colonial rule. "He arrived like a thief. His flag was blue, white and red. And he just proclaimed. That this country would be his forever." At least New Caledonians have not been denied their Right to Self Determination as an independence referendum is due to be held between 2014 and 2019. One day Melanesia will finally be free from colonialism."
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From the uploader summary of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh_WXuRMTdg&feature=related

"The song 'Watolea' is included on the 2004 compilation album 'Putumayo Presents South Pacific Islands' by the group Gurujele who are one of the most popular Kaneka music groups in the Melanesian region. These musicians are from the island of Maré situated amongst the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia."

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Video #2: Gurejele en live - " Wabeb Bulu "



Uploaded by SAMIRICO67 on Sep 25, 2009

Hnatr de Lifou et Dick de Maré ont su marier leur musique pour creer " Gurejele".
Le groupe fera le tour du Pacifique , des iles Salomon jusqu'à Tahiti .Ce tube " Wabeb Bulu" sera l'un des succés phare de leur premier album " Waero " en 1995 .
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Google translate from French to English:

Hnatr de Lifou and Dick de Maré knew how to combine their music to create “Gurejele”.

The group will tour the Pacific, from the Solomon Islands to Tahiti. This hit "Wabeb Bulu" will be one of the flagship successes of their first album "Waero" in 1995.
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Here's a comment I wrote on this video's YouTube discussion thread in 2012:
"Thanks for posting this video! I'm glad I happened upon your music. I included this video in a post on my cultural blog. Google Pancocojams Gurejele - Kaneka Music From New Caledonia. That post showcases 5 videos. I found information online about your group, about Kaneka music, and about one of the songs. But I didn't find anything in English about this song and 3 others. I'd love to know more about them. What does the title mean? Unfortunately, I only speak & read English."
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Here's the comment exchange that I had with a commenter in 2024 about this song:  

@noahwayaridri7551,March 28, 2024
"« Wabeb bulu »,the name of the song, means « blue parrot fish » (hopefully this response will suits you after 11 years )"

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Reply
@azizip171, March 28, 2024
"@noahwayaridri7551  Thank you very much for sharing that information. It's better late than never :o)

Here are some more questions: 1. What is the song about  2.What does "blue parrot fish" mean in that song? (Those might be the same question). 3, What language is it?

Anything else you can share about these and other songs from this culture will also be appreciated."

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Reply
Highlighted reply
@noahwayaridri7551,March 29, 2024
" @azizip171  I’m not that sure about the translation but the song speaks about how you must be proud of your island and protect the traditions that have been teached. The song is written in Nengone, a langage spoken in Nengone island (« Maré » in French) and Tokanode (« Tiga » in French). The authors are Dick and Hnatr BUAMA."
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Thanks, noahwayaridri7551. I really appreciate this information and the opportunity this song and this exchange has given me and others to learn something about New Caledonia culture. Thanks also to the composers Dick and Hnatr Buama for creating and performing this song!  

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Video #3: Gurejele - Wadrong



Uploaded by SAMIRICO67 on Oct 13, 2009

Dick et Hnatr à leur début avec "Gurejele "

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Video #4: GUREJELE - Jured'eme



Uploaded by saminouchka on May 30, 2008

Pour yo Jacinthe qui nous manque terriblement ...

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Video #5: " Waipeipeigu " - GUREJELE



Uploaded by SAMIRICO67 on Aug 20, 2011

Live à PARIS La Villette pour une avant première en concertation avec les acteurs et Ambassadeurs des Jeux Du Pacifique Sud .

Les 14 ème Jeux Du Pacifique se tiendront à NOUMEA avec la venue de Nicolas SARKOZY 

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