EESrétti

EESrétti is a ceremonial music and dance form originating among the Eesri communities of the Sira archipelago in the eastern maritime region. It combines a call-and-response vocal tradition with percussive accompaniment and body percussion. Practiced during harvest festivals, initiation rites, and communal gatherings, EESrétti emphasizes collective participation and social bonding.

Etymology and meaning: The term EESrétti comes from the Eesri language, with ee- meaning "together" and -srètti denoting "voices" or "spirits," though interpretations vary. Scholarly usage typically translates EESrétti as "gathering voices" or "voices of the spirits."

Performance and form: A typical performance features a lead singer, a responsive chorus, and a circle of drummers using carved wooden drums and shell horns. The repertoire consists of short, mnemonic verses, interspersed with instrumental interludes and call phrases. Rhythms are often built from cross-rhythms and syncopation, with tempos that shift to mark transitions in the ritual narrative. Performances last roughly 12 to 20 minutes.

Origins and history: Early documentary references appear in maritime trade diaries from the late medieval period, but oral histories place the practice earlier. A revival movement began in the mid-20th century, spurred by cultural associations and diaspora communities. Ethnomusicologists have documented numerous regional variants and performed field recordings to preserve repertoire.

Contemporary status: EESrétti is maintained as a living tradition, taught in local schools and community centers, and featured in regional festivals and international exhibitions. Contemporary groups sometimes adapt staging and instrumentation for urban venues while retaining core mnemonic and rhythmic elements.

See also: Ethnomusicology, Intangible cultural heritage, Call-and-response traditions.