Michelle See Kee (who is currently completing her 3 to 6 Diploma with the Australian Centre for Montessori Studies [AMI]), as well as Michelle Martin (who was a student on the AMI 3 to 6 Sunshine Coast Course 2011-2013), came to observe in Nawa and Maiem during the last week of term three.
They sang and performed Taba Naba and other traditional Torres Strait Islander Songs for the children. Most of their songs were accompanied by a seated dance, where both of our visitors performed traditional movements corresponding to the lyrics. They also played traditional percussion instruments, including a rattle made from a cluster of seed pods.
Michelle and Michelle then talked and answered questions about life in the Torres Strait, such as what food is plentiful and what is not. It was a wonderful cultural experience for the children.
Taba Naba Lyrics:
Taba naba naba norem
Tugi penai siri mi
Dinghy e nabare
Miko keimi
Serere nabare
Taba naba norem style s.t.y.l.e
(repeated 3 times)
Translation:
Come on let’s go to the reef
Get into the dinghy when the morning tide is low
Let us row to the edge of the reef
Come on let’s go to the reef.
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