Ak Eo
A Roro Chant
A roro is a type of chant in the Marshall Islands. They are usually 4 - 6 lines and are chanted in a deep tone. The rhythm starts slow and speeds up. Sometimes they're chanted in a call and response style.
This is a roro of respect for the frigatebird...
![Ak Eo - Marshallese Children's Songs - Marshall Islands - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World - Intro Image Ak Eo - Marshallese Children's Songs - Marshall Islands - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World - Intro Image](https://www.mamalisa.com/images/non_ml_images/great-frigatebird.jpg)
Ak Eo
The Frigate Bird
Chant
Chant
(Marshallese)
(English)
Ak eo
lik eo
Jakeo
Lik eo jan
Jinme
Ak eo
The frigatebird
The sea
Jakeo*
The sea from
Jinme**
The frigatebird.
Notes
*Jakeo is a name.
**Jinme is an island on the eastern side of Anewetak Atoll.
Comments
The frigatebird has traditionally been an important animal in the Marshall Islands. Here's a proverb about the frigatebird: "Jede ak ej juon iaan jabōn kōnnaan ko an ri-Ṃajeḷ" ("Look up to the frigatebird"). It means follow and respect the traditional chief. -Marshallese - English Dictionary
Thanks and Acknowledgements
This roro can be found in the book, "Stories from the Marshall Islands" (2002) by Jack A. Tobin.
Kommol tata!