Magowan (anthropology, Queen's U., Belfast) and Neuenfeldt (contemporary communication, Central Queensland U., Australia) assemble nine essays that analyze the indigenous music and dance of the Torres Strait Islanders and Australian Aboriginal culture of the Northern Territory. The essays focus on how the cultures are affected by and react to colonial influences from the past, as well as outside influences of today, in the ongoing creation of cultural meaning. The chapters cover popular song, Christian and popular music influences, resistance and adaptation, the performer and leader Eddie Mabo (who also contributes a chapter), missionary influence, the structure of Murlarra songs, tradition, the Yirrkala Film Project, and the culture of Thursday Island. Contributors are anthropologists, historians, and ethnomusicologists from Australia and Canada. The book is aimed at scholars of music, dance, and performance. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
