I love seeing books that are about lesser known musical instruments, and I love seeing books about lesser represented cultures! When I saw a book about a CHamoru girl (Mariana islands), playing an instrument from her culture, I had to snag it right away. This is is one of my new must have books because not only this, it deals with practicing, and persistence, as well as the death of a close family member.
The Book
This book is vaguely bilingual as there are many CHamorro words. However, they are used in a way that context is enough for the reader. The story is about Lålai who hears her grandfather playing the bilembaotuyan. He teaches her about it and starts to teach her. They practice together for a very long time and she improves. As she gets better, her grandfather gets more ill and eventually passes away. Lålai is very upset and plays the song she wrong for her grandfather when the family gathers. She continues to play through her life and then passes it down like her grandfather did to her.
After the story, there are several pages about culture bearers, the instrument, and themes to discuss with children. It also contains a glossary.
Author: Catherine Payne, John Payne II
Illustrator: Veronica Cruz
ISBN: 978-1935198642
Buy the book: https://uogpress.com/products/i-lalai-i-bilembaotuyan
I bought this directly from the University of Guam Press and it arrived VERY quickly!
The Music
Bilembaotuyan
The big feature in this book is the Bilembaotuyan. This instrument likely has roots in Africa, brought to Brazil by enslaved Africans, and then, somehow, made its way to Guam. Berimbau (short for berimbau de barriga [“belly bow”]) is a very similarly designed instrument with Afro-Brazilian roots. The description of the bilembaotuyan, “belembao” meaning instrument, and “tuyan” meaning stomach which is where the instrument is held when it is played likely links the two instruments which are played similarly.
There are three main parts: the gourd, the hitting stick, and the string. Originally made from natural fibers, the string is now often made from metal which gives the instrument a distinct sound. You can read more about it from the sources at the end of this section.
Guam is actively trying to keep interest in the instrument alive, so let’s support them!
Pics of building a bilembaotuyan: https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/news/2018/03/10/building-a-bilembaotuyan/32803081/
Sources:
– https://www.guammuseumfoundation.org/belembaotuyan-ended-up-on-guam-visit-the-guam-museum/
– https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/berimbaus-across-pacific-origins-and-trajectories-belembaotuyan-and-berimbau
Videos
- How to Play the Belembaotuyan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcHhRTa54DY
- KGTF Classics: The “Belembaotuyan” in Guam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8zpavNaA1Y
- Colors of Paradise Ep 3 Bilembaotuyan Musical Instrument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNz1OzBXQcg
Other Things
Interview about book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K1PbwI2P6s
This book has a strong social emotional learning component. There are two main themes in here:
- Death of a person close to the character and moving through the sadness
- Nervousness, practicing, learning a skill with time
Student Reflection Questions
- What part of the bilembaotuyan makes the sound?
- If you were going to make an instrument at home, what would you need?
- What have you worked on and practiced that you got better at with time?
- How does practicing help you learn an instrument? Why is it important? What do you practice in your life?
- Have you lost someone close to you? How did you feel when this happened? Who helped you during that time?
I hope this has given you some ideas for I Lalai i Bilembaotuyan! Definitely check this book out!
