itinerary

CENTRAL AFRICA: Rwanda - It's mostly mountainous landscape includes volcanoes and grasslands, rainforest as well as tropical savanna. There are lakes and numerous terraces carved out of the hillsides and the lower slopes of the country's volcanoes.

ORGANIZATION: Association pour la Promotion Batwa (APB). APB's aims are to defend the rights and interests of the Batwa; to act as intermediary for the Batwa community in its contacts with national and local authorities, and other benefactors; to promote the socio-economic and political development of the Batwa, with the emphasis on primary health care, education and employment; and to promote Batwa culture

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Some are: The Batwa/Twa Pygmy peoples, Tutsis, Hutu, The Batwa are forest hunter-gatherers. They are spread across Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the DRC, the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Rwanda. Around the 11th century Hutu farmers migrated into the region. Tutsis, who make up less than one-fifth of the population, were originally nomadic pastoralists who wandered down into Rwanda in the 16th century

MUSIC: Central Africa - The Bahutu of Rwanda (Burundi) have at least twenty-four different types of social songs. There are songs played by professional musicians for entertainment, songs for harvesting and other work songs, war songs, beer drinking songs, songs commemorating the birth of children, songs admonishing erring members of the society, songs deriding Europeans, vulgar songs, etc. Social songs are separated from ceremonial or religious songs. The Bahutus have other songs associated with paddling against a strong current, paddling with the current, etc.

2nd Destination of Leg 1. October 2005 - December 2005

SOUTH ASIA - NEPAL Nepal is located in the southern Himalaya boasts the world's tallest mountains, including Mt. Everest and Annapurna, It has mountain ranges, vast plains, lush valleys as well as deserts. There are over 6500 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal.

INDIGENOUS PARTNERS: The Sound Alliance project took place in two indigenous communities in Nepal. In the north with the Tamang People of the Himalaya in the villages of Dhunche, Bharku, and Haku in or near the Langtang National Park. In Southern Nepal our partners are The Tharu People of the Terai region residing in the village of Meghauli near the Chitwan National Park. Indigenous peoples of Nepal have a great knowledge of land, plants and cultivation techniques. There are approximately 58 indigenous groups in Nepal . : Nepal is home to one the most multi-cultural, multi-linguistic, and multi-religious populations in the world.

MUSICThe Tamang use a form of singing dialog. With a of men and women linking arms into the shape of a circle. The two sexes face each other and verbally joust. A woman or man will lead with a line and the before the line is finished the rest of the women or men accompany the leader. These singing battles can go on for hours and on occasion all night.

ORGANIZATION:Nepal Tamang Ghedung (NTG) and The Tharu Welfare Society under the IAITPTF assisted in coordinatinating the project in Nepal

1st Destination of Leg 1. July 2005 - September 2005
Planned Destination of Leg 2 - 2007
PACIFIC - SOLOMON ISLANDS There approximately 992 islands found here. Some are mountainous covered in tropical rainforests. There are also many low-lying coral atolls. There are coconut trees, scrubland and mangroves. The Solomons have over 4500 plant species, including about 230 varieties of orchid. Plants and trees are used by locals for building, food, medicine and clothing.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:The Sound Alliance project took place in two indigenous communities in the Solomon Islands. In Malaita Province with the Warutana People of Waiaa'ha villiage on Maramasike Island. In Isabel Province with the Mogo, Vuhi Vunagi, and Tavia people residing in Huali village of Santa Isabel Island

MUSIC: In Malaita province the traditional music of the pan-pipe is strong still to this day. There continues to be innovation and creation of melodies and instrument production. Pan-pipes range from small hand held flutes to large stationary percussion kits and can be played on their own or in large groups. On Santa Isabel Island we recorded vocal choirs of men, women and children who exhibited a great range of harmonies. We also many beautiful dances which complimented the music. They dances would recreate legends and tales of the sea.

2nd destination, September 2005
SOUTHEAST ASIA ISLANDS: Indonesia - The Indonesian archipelago comprises more than 17,000 islands. There lie active and extinct volcanoes, woodland, forests as well as mangrove swamps.

ORGANIZATION: Ikatan Cendekiawan Tanimbar Indonesia (ICTI) Hubertus Samangun, Indonesia, ICTI - TANIMBA

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Some groups are the: Asmat, (Asamat, Asemer, Asomat), Batak, Dani, Kubu(Djambi, Orang Darat), Mentawai (Mentawei, Mentawi), Nias (Batu), Sawang, Tamiang (Malayu). The original homeland of the Batak is located deep in the northern interior of Sumatra along the Lake Toba . Sumatra is an Indonesian Island south of Thailand. There are six major Batak ethnic groups: Toba , Karo , Dairi-Pakpak, Simalungun, Angkola and the Mandailing.

MUSIC: The Batak ceremonies always involve music making.. The most prestigious Toba-Batak ensemble is the Godang Sabangunan consisting of taganing , a set of five tuned drums sarune bolon, a type of double reed instrument, and ogung, a set of four gongs.. Other gondang may include mandolin, xylophone and flute.

3rd Destination of Leg 1. December 2005 - March 2006

SOUTHEAST ASIA - THAILAND: The Sound Alliance project took place in three indigenous communities in Northern Thailand. In Mae Hong Son province with The Lisu People of Sia Ngam village and then with the Hmong people of Mae Ya Noi.
Lastly in Chiang Rai Province with The Lahu People of Heaw Lu Luang (G'a tzuh hk'a) village. Some of the indigenous peoples found here are the Lisu, Karen, Akha, Mien, Hmong, Lahu peoples. The Lahu are renowned for the beautiful woven bags that they create and their delicious spicy food.

MUSIC: Throughout Northern Thailand we recorded a wide range of flutes, mouth organs, as well as stringed instruments and a capella voices.

ORGANIZATION: Under the IAITPTF, IMPECT provided great assistance in coordinating the field work of the project. IMPECT (Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association) funds, collects, and processes documents for citizenship applications by hill-tribes people; Provide legal services for individual registrations; and administration and management expenses for the organization's Citizenship Status Development Section.

CENTRAL AMERICA: Costa Rica - Costa Rica has both a Caribbean and a Pacific coast. A series of volcanic mountain chains that split the country in half. There is a high-altitude plain which has fertile volcanic soils, with coastal lowlands on either side. There are mangroves, swamps and sandy beaches as well as rugged rocky coastline. Forest reserves and indigenous reservations boost the protected land area to 27%.

ORGANIZATION: The Association for Indigenous Development and Information (ASIDII) The members of the Association are committed to the recovery and defense of their territories and the protection of their woodlands, ecosystems and natural resources of flora and fauna, and the promotion of proper use of those resources and sustainable development with cultural identity.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Some are: Bribrí of Keköldi, Cabecar of Bajo Chirripo and Guaimí of Conte Burica who are represented by the (ASIDII).

MUSIC: Central America - The Lenca people still dance the guancasco, once used to renew friendship between two communities. Along the East Coast of Central America, the Garifuna have their own vibrant musical traditions mainly during ceremonies which involve intense drumming, chanting, and dancing.