Melanesian Mainstream

<p> Citizens of Vanuatu (ni-Vanuatu) perceive stringband music as a marker of national identity an indicator of their cultural stylistic and musical heritage. Through extensive field and ethnographic research <em>Melanesian Mainstream</em> offers a detailed historical record of the roots context evolution and impact of stringband music. Beyond chronicling the genre�s history and cultural significance this thorough monograph positions the genre�s musical hybridity communal lyrics and unique organizational structures as key factors in the anthropological understanding of ni-Vanuatu socio-cultural history.</p>