09-07-2025
Iconic First Nations artists' exchange culture and music in New Caledonia
Language was never going to get in the way when two iconic First Nations artists and the people of New Caledonia came together in the name of music.
Earlier this year, the Australian Consulate-General in Nouméa brought Australian artists Jeffrey Yello Simon, Manuel Dhurrkay and Michael Hohnen to New Caledonia.
Over the week, they shared traditional music from their homelands and immersed themselves in the culture and music of New Caledonia.
The cultural exchange began two hours north-west of the capital Nouméa, in Tribu de Gouaro in Bourail.
Set on the sandy Pacific coast, the cultural exchange all began in Tribu de Gouaro in Bourail. ( ABC Pacific: Nicolas Job )
Jeffrey, well known as the frontman of popular Tiwi RnB band B2M, told ABC Pacific he wasn't at all worried about the language barrier.
"We all work at the same frequency, same energy, same vibe. When we start with that, everything blooms after that," he said.
Jeffrey was right — as soon as he, Manuel and Michael began their small concert in Tribu de Gouaro, the crowd responded with cheers and clapping to music in their mother tongue and the didgeridoo.
Manuel is the lead singer of the island reggae group, Saltwater Band. ( ABC Pacific: Nicolas Job )
The group was also flanked by New Caledonia musical legend Esther Wamejo, who helped navigate customs and translation and collaborated on musical performances as well.
After their performance in Bourail, they then travelled further north to Pouembout before finally spending several days in Nouméa.
It was in Nouméa where the next generation of Kanaky New Caledonia's musicians got to engage with the group, jamming with young locals and creating music to perform at at their final concert.
Jeffrey and Manuel spent the day creating music with young musicians from New Caledonia. ( ABC Pacific: Nicolas Job )
Manuel, the lead singer of Saltwater Band, the island reggae group from Elcho Island, hadn't been to New Caledonia and said his visit filled him with joy.
"Culture back in Australia and their culture [here] is a little bit similar, and I can't believe it," he said.
Esther said the week-long exchange came at a good time and that she loved "seeing the eyes of the people they were exchanging with".
"Seeing the stars shine in their eyes when they share about their culture and customs," she said.
"Seeing their eyes shine even more…. So, for me it's really about the exchanges."
A night of unity
The concert provided a time of unity. ( ABC Pacific: Nicolas Job )
On the final night of the Australian group's exchange, they held a final concert at the historic Tjibaou Cultural Centre, which soon filled with a diverse crowd, from indigenous Kanaks to European migrants.
In the group's final song, everyone gathered and danced. ( ABC Pacific: Nicolas Job )
Esther said her family from Maré attended the concert and "were really touched" and "really moved by the evening".
"And yes, lots of people dancing too. A lot of people who were happy to be there. You could see all the colours of people from different communities, different islands."
Australian musician Michael Hohnen was overwhelmed by the community's response to their concert.
"Having Yello and Manuel from two different bands, two different languages… so we've really had to mix it up. Yellow's done more kind of hip hop stuff, Manuel has done more lyrical, beautiful vocal stuff," he said.
"But the crazy thing about here is, as you've seen over the last few days a lot of people sing here, there's a lot of beautiful song."
In the spirit of NAIDOC Week's 2025 theme of strength, vision and legacy, the cultural exchange made connections that will likely last far beyond a single week of music.
