https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–0wK-swlIQ

“Kunan Kiribati,” also known as “Teirake Kaini Kiribati,” is the Kiribati national anthem. Loteba Temuera Uriam wrote and composed the song, and it was adopted when the country gained independence in 1979. The national anthem was originally written in both Gilbertese and English, and it consists of a voice and piano accompaniment. Compared to other music from the region, “Kunan Kiribati” feels incredibly westernized. It lacks local instrumentation, and the note progression sounds like something straight from John Phillip Sousa.

I chose this song because I was interested to see what the national anthem sounded like. I did not expect what I heard.