Strings across the ocean: practices, traditions, and histories of the Cocos Malay biola in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean

The biola (violin) is an emblematic musical instrument of the Cocos Malay community, who have been based on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands – part of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories – since 1826. In Cocos Malay culture, the biola accompanies local dance genres and occasional performances of bangsawan theatre. Malay melodies constitute the bulk of the repertoire; there are also melodies exhibiting Scottish characteristics. The latter are often attributed to the influence of the Clunies-Ross family, who maintained a commanding presence on the islands from 1827 to 1978. Since the mid-twentieth century, biola playing has been the preserve of two families on the islands and in Western Australia. The practice has declined over the past two decades, owing to a decrease in players; however, a revitalisation programme was initiated in 2014. This article explores aspects of the practice and cultural functions of the biola on Cocos and documents the history of the instrument on the islands, drawing on data from ethnographic and archival research.比奥拉琴（biola，小提琴）是科科斯马来社群的标志性乐器，该社群自1826年起便定居于科科斯（基林）群岛——澳大利亚印度洋领地的组成部分。在科科斯马来文化中，比奥拉琴用于伴奏本土各类舞蹈，以及偶有上演的班萨万戏剧（bangsawan theatre）演出。其演奏曲目中以马来旋律为主，同时也包含带有苏格兰音乐特征的旋律。这类带有苏格兰特征的旋律常被认为受到克拉尼-罗斯家族（Clunies-Ross family）的影响——该家族于1827年至1978年间在群岛占据主导性影响力。自20世纪中期以来，群岛及西澳地区的比奥拉琴演奏仅由两个家族传承。过去二十年间，由于演奏者人数减少，这一演奏传统日渐式微；不过相关的振兴计划已于2014年启动。本文依托民族志与档案研究数据，探析科科斯群岛比奥拉琴演奏传统的诸多面向及其文化功能，并记录了该乐器在群岛的发展历史。