Exchange: Cantu in Paghjella meets Peroveta

Spartimu is an internationally acclaimed Corsican vocal ensemble dedicated to preserving and sharing cantu in paghjella, Corsica’s UNESCO-listed traditional polyphony. Known for their haunting harmonies and improvisational vocal dialogue, the group performs entirely a cappella, sustaining a centuries-old oral tradition. Beyond preservation, Spartimu engages in artistic collaborations across cultures, bringing Mediterranean vocal heritage to global audiences.

The Kapari Viriolo Village Cultural Ambassadors was formed in 2025 in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by Deveni Temu and Marion Gilmour, husband- and wife coordinators of the PNG Peroveta Singers of Canberra, Australia.

Comprising 16 women and 9 men from the Kapari and Viriolo villages, the group’s mission is to strengthen cultural connections between the Canberra-based diaspora and their home communities in Papua New Guinea.

In addition to performing peroveta, they also present sene—traditional village folk songs and dances from pre-contact times (before European contact)–preserving the island’s rich musical heritage.

Deveni Temu is the coordinator and founder of the PNG Peroveta Singers of Canberra, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the pre-contact songs, chants, and dances of the Kapari and Viriolo villages in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Central Province. Born and raised in these villages, Deveni has spent decades documenting the oral traditions of his people, whose songs were never written down.

Since 1999, Deveni has led the PNG Peroveta Singers of Canberra, teaching members—many long settled in Australia—the complex call-and-response structures, gendered parts, and harmonies of ancient peroveta. To ensure their accuracy, he spends countless hours transcribing lyrics from rare recordings and living memory, reviving melodies long forgotten even in PNG.

Deveni’s work links community and scholarship. He has collaborated with the British Library and the University of Sydney’s PARADISEC to identify and decipher through old recordings, the lyrics of Vulaa/Hula songs and chants once sung by his people.

In December 2025, Deveni founded The Kapari Viriolo Cultural Ambassadors, comprising 25 members from both villages. Their mission is to revive these folk songs and dances, as well as the traditional peroveta and Vulaa/Hula language songs. Through his leadership, Deveni continues to play a crucial role in fostering community connection, bridging gaps between migrants and the cultural and educational institutions that support the preservation of this unique heritage.