Sesere eeye
"Sesere eeye" is about a kingfisher bird that dives into the water and back out again catching a fish.* There's a dance that accompanies the song that mimics the kingfisher diving in and out of the water. You can learn the steps below.
It's in a mixture of languages from the Torres Strait and South Pacific Islands.
It's sung by chorus groups around the world.
Sesere eeye
Kingfisher Bird
Dance Song
Dance Song
(Unidentified Language)
(English)
1. Sesere eeye, sesere eeye
2. Nar in ar in a roparte.
3.Sesere eeye, sesere eeye
4. Nar in ar in a roparte.
5. Roparte marowsi amma
6. Te sesere eeye.
7. Roparte marowsi amma
8. Te sesere eeye.
This song is about a kingfisher diving into the water to catch a fish and flying right back out.
If anyone can provide a translation or more info about this song, please email me.
Thanks! Mama Lisa
Notes
*As per the Torres Strait Islanders in the 1st YouTube video below. The quote below from a Torres Strait Island Facebook Group seems to confirm it...
"Sesere eeye is a traditional song and dance from the Torres Strait Islands in ... In the Western group Sesere is a type of bird, I'm thinking the pronunciation of some of the song may have been anglicized for some choirs." -Daniel, I'm Proud to be a Torres Strait Islander Facebook Group
Below are some of the words from the song that I found in a book called "Reports of the Cambridge Anthropological Expedition to Torres Straits, Volume 5" (1901). The book includes info about the languages of the Torres Strait Islands.
We don't know if all these words correspond to those in the song...
Sesere = a bird (kingfisher), also a legendary hero who turns himself into a bird.
Amma = father in Mekeo
Nar = a canoe in Miriam
Ar = dawn, daybreak in Mabuiag
***
It's believed that this song comes from Moa Island.
Game Instructions
Actions for the Sesere Eeye Dance:
The actions below correspond with the numbers above in the lyrics.
1. Clap hands out and down to the left three times (miming a bird diving), with feet left, right, left, right.
2. Clap hands to the left two times more quickly, tap left foot twice.
Left elbow up to the left, two (vine) steps to the left.
3. Clap hands out and down to the right three times (miming a bird diving), with feet right, left, right, left.
4. Clap hands to the right two times more quickly, tap right foot twice.
Right elbow up to the right, two (vine) steps to the right.
5. Left elbow up to the left, right elbow up to the right.
6. Clap down to the left while tapping foot on left. Then clap down to the right while tapping foot on the right. Then clap with your hands above your head while gently kicking your left leg up in front of you (but bent at the knee).
7. Right elbow up to the right and tap foot right. Then left elbow up to the left and tap foot left.
8. Swoop right hand down low in front of you in an arc going from right to left and then coming up over to your chest, crossing both hands over your chest. Tap left shoulder with right hand 3 times.
Comments
Aren T. wrote, "About that song the language is in the Australian aborigines language and it is about the winds going through the mountains."
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
