The Corner sings
Taba Naba
Summary
Watch and learn a traditional island song. This activity will teach children a very common Torres Strait Islander sit down dance called ‘Taba Naba’. This dance is from the Eastern Islands in the Torres Strait and is sung in Meriam Mir language. The dance is about going down to the reef.
Rationale
The Torres Strait culture is traditionally an 'oral culture' which is passed down the generations through songs and dance. This activity is a hands on fun activity that engages children with Torres Strait Island culture through the use of language, song and dance.
Key concepts
Singing, dancing, exploring languages.
Key language
Music, performance, language and actions.
Materials
Kulups (Shakers)
Song lyrics
Instruction video of dance moves.
Activity steps
Step 1: Lyrics
- Sit around a circle/semi circle crossing your legs.
- Go through each of the five verses explaining what the English meaning is for each verse.
Taba naba | naba norem, (DMaj | Gmaj)
Come let us go to the reef
Tugei pe neiser mi | dinghy ge nabatre (Amaj | Dmaj)
While morning low tide, let us go in the dinghy
Mi ko kei |serer em nebewem (Dmaj | Gmaj)
Let us wade to the edge of the reef
Taba naba | norem (Amaj | Dmaj)
Come let us go to the reef
(Dmaj (1 bar break between verses)
Style S. T. Y. L. E
Strategic questions:
- What things can you find in a reef? Eg. coral, sea animals
Step 2: Dance actions
- Show children the dance moves using the instruction video as a tool.
Taba naba naba norem
Move hands horizontally: one towards you the other away from body, palms brushing as they pass
Tugei pe neiser mi, dinghy ge nabatre
Right hand to floor at left, then to left shoulder, left hand to floor at right, then to right shoulder
Mi ko kei serer em nebewem
Right hand to floor at left, then to left shoulder, left hand to floor at right, then to right shoulder
Taba naba naba norem
Both hands up high, then on shoulders
Style S. T. Y. L. E
Hands on waist and sway
Strategic questions:
- What other songs do you know that have actions just like Taba Naba? Eg. twinkle little star, incy wincy spider and row, row, row your boat.
Step 3: Performance
- Put together the performance along with the song lyrics and dance moves.
Tips:
- Have the instructional video keep playing while you sing along so that children can follow the dance moves and associate them with the words.
- Try playing the dance acoustically - guitar cords are in brackets above in step 1.
Last updated: 23rd September 2011
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