On March 8, 2025, eleven Torres Strait Islander women made history by launching their all-original album, ‘Lingu Karay’, on Waiben (Thursday Island), coinciding with International Women’s Day. The album is not just music; it is the resilient voice of island women, echoing their stories, struggles, and culture. Through the years of writing and recording, these artists aimed to preserve their language and heritage, much needed to connect generations.
The name of the choir, ‘Lingu Karay’, which means the handle of a woven basket in Kalaw Kawaw Ya, symbolizes unity and strength among women. Mariana Babia, one of the choir members from Saibai Island, articulated the deep cultural metaphor behind their name. She said, “Us women, when we stand hand in hand, we all share common goals. We carry the basket – all the women carry the basket, we carry baskets or bags everywhere.” Babia emphasized the strength of women, stating, “We are child bearers, we all go through the same pain, we all go through the processes of life, because the life starts with us and we carry it with us.”
The launch event, marked by emotional performances, drew the attention and applause of the community. Excitement filled the air as attendees broke out in song, uniting voices and expressing shared joy. The musical direction led by Jessie Lloyd involved long hours of collaboration with the women, who have all invested their spirit and culture over the past five years of this creative endeavor.
The album, which reflects tales from their lives, struggles, and heritage, draws its inspiration from numerous sources, weaving rich narratives through music. It features production across diverse languages, including Creole, Kalaw Lagaw Ya, Kalaw Kawaw Ya, and Meriam Mer, showcasing their linguistic heritage. Thamie Unicomb, another member from Yam Island, shared her realizations during the songwriting process, observing the issues faced not only by Torres Strait Island women but by women everywhere. “We want to have a say, we want to be strong, and not just agree to what our husbands say, but we would like equal rights,” she urged, highlighting the need for empowerment.
Historically, the Torres Strait Islanders have faced significant challenges when it came to representation in music. The only previous women’s group to record was the Mills Sisters back in 1993, with their album ‘Frangipani Land,’ and Chris Anu followed suit with ‘Stylin Up’ in 1995. Now, thanks to TSIMA (Torres Strait Islander Media Association), who launched the Lingu Karay project in 2019, there is renewed opportunity for women's voices to echo across the seas.
Louise Manas from Mua Island emphasized the significant role music plays not only as art but also as cultural preservation. “Them songs, the way we make up the melody – for mepla to work together, it's unity, love and au passin,” she expressed passionately. Music becomes the vessel for their dreams, histories, and their linguistic identities. Manas conveyed how the melodies encapsulate their emotions, reminiscing on connections to their identities and communities.
Following the launch, Manas reflected, “I was crying [listening], and I thought, my gosh, we've made something amazing here. We've created something really beautiful, and it's going to have longevity, and it's going to have a legacy.” The choir members are hopeful their music will connect island families with their roots, especially those who may feel fragmented from home.
“I think that's the exciting part of the continued work we do — we have language at the forefront, particularly where some of our language is diminishing, and our young people need to take on,” Babia said. The emotional narratives captured within the album can serve as pathways back to culture and connection. Whether through digital apps, songs, or animations, these initiatives seek to educate and revitalize their languages for future generations.
One of the core desires expressed by the women was not only to entertain but also to drive discourse around pressing matters such as domestic violence, which can often silence women’s voices. The choir wants to lead conversations paving paths toward greater recognition of women’s rights. “We’ve come a long way, we've looked at families, not only in the Torres Strait but families everywhere,” Unicomb reiterates, emphasizing community as the foundation of their message.
The women dedicated their debut to choir members who couldn’t be present for this milestone: Patricia Nakata, Margaret Gabey, Nazareth Adidi, and Daniella Williams. Their absence is felt, but their legacy, as part of this culturally rich narrative, echoes through the music recorded and shared. The album serves to unify, empower, and inspire all who come across the vibrant soundscapes crafted by the Lingu Karay Women's Choir.
Music, as conveyed by the members, is about connection, identity, and remembrance. “If you're unhappy, you put some music on, and it's so good and soothing,” Babia articulated, emphasizing music’s ability to invoke memories and serve as vessel for knowledge. The Lingu Karay women’s album stands as more than just songs; it is the sound of resilience, culture, and hope.