The Lani Singers
Hailing from the remote highlands of West Papua on the island of New Guinea in the southwest Pacific, the Lani Singers’ deeply emotive songs are rooted in the sacred rituals of the Lani tribe, whose way of living has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. Their music also embodies a powerful modern day message of their people’s struggle for freedom – “spirited and passionate raw roots music…a tribute to human resilience” (World Music Central).
Recorded over a two-year period, the collection of songs that make up their recently released debut album Ninalik Ndawi (Freedom Song), reflect the remarkable journey that the Lani Singers have made from their homeland to their exile in the UK. Steeped in the rich traditions of Lani music but also embodying a powerful modern message, these songs encompass the purest emotions of love, pain, joy and hope.
The Lani Singers are husband and wife, Benny and Maria Wenda. In young adulthood Benny was made leader of the Koteka Tribal Assembly, with the responsbility for all the tribes within the highlands of West Papua. Fearing the influence that he held amongst the indigenous population, the Indonesian regime imprisoned him in 2001 on a 25-year term. His crime was to peacefully raise the banned national flag of West Papua and to call for the cultural heritage of West Papua to be respected. Displays of cultural expression, including playing traditional music, are banned by the Indonesian government – just one example of what many observers have described as cultural genocide, adding to the human one that has already cost the lives of an estimated 400,000 West Papuans.
While Benny languished in prison, sustained threats and intimidation were made towards his wife Maria, and she was forced to flee with their 5-month-old daughter Koteka to neighbouring Papua New Guinea, to one of the many refugee camps that lace the border region. It was here that Maria started writing music.
Nine months after his imprisonment, Benny escaped from prison aided by his fellow freedom fighters, and fled through the jungle to Papua New Guinea where he was reunited with Maria and Koteka. Powerless to instigate change for their country from a refugee camp, the family were helped by an NGO group, who in 2003 brought them to the UK where they were granted political asylum.
Today, their captivating performances help spread the Lani’s vital message, and ensure a lasting legacy for their people.
“Deeply affecting…it’s impossible to hear the artless charm of this music without a profound sense of human vulnerability.”
The Wire
Listen to The Lani Singers’ music here:
