George Kingsley Roth: Fijian Music, Songs and Dances: Doc.365, 'Nine gong beats'

Nine gong beats collected by [?]Ulaosi vosabalavu of Kabara Island in the Lau Group, recorded in Suva in May 1957 + two additional beats. 1) Na lali ni kaci. Used to call the strong men together to defend the village when the enemy has been sighted, order the women, the children & the old men to get away into the bush or caves and summon friendly villages nearby to come to their help. Large gong only. [0.50 - 1.43] 2) [?] Na lali ni saka mote dua koro. Used when a village has been burnt. Both gongs used. [1.44 - 2.55] 3) Na lali ni bokola. Used when a body is brought to be eaten. Both gongs used. [2.56 - 3.37] 4) Na lali ni vuki. Invitation to other villages to become Christian, otherwise they will be attacked. Large gong only. [3.38 - 4.19] 5) Na lali ni wate. Mark the end of fighting and the return of peace. Nowadays [in the 1950s] used to summon people to church. Both gongs used. [4.20 - 5.26] 6) Na lali ni soro masumasu. Used to call people together early in the morning for worship & prayers. One man beats both gongs. [5.27 - 6.07] 7) Na lali vaka turaga. Used to let chief know it is time to assemble for discussion or feasting. Both gongs used. [6.08 - 7.25] 8) Na lali ni mate. Used to announce that the corpse of a dead chief has left his house. The beating is continued until the corpse reaches the burial place. One man beats each gong or one man for both. [7.26 - 8.35] 9) Na lali ni tabu. Announced a prohibition on making noise in a village. Nowadays [in the 1950s], used for announcing the time for children to go to bed or for yaqona drinking to stop. Large gong only. [8.36 - 9.37] 10) Repetition of beat number 2 [stops at 10.50]. 11) Actuality record (live reporting) of a ceremony involving the Tui Lau, made by the Fiji Broadcasting Commission, in Tubou, Lakeba Island, Lau Group in August 1955 and demonstrating Beat number 7. [10.50 - 13.43]