Arnold Ap was born in Numfor on 1 July 1946 and died near Jayapura on 26 April 1984. He was a musician, pioneer of the West Papua string band style, and an anthropologist. He studied geography at the teacher training college of the Cenderawasih University in Abepura. As a student he organised a demonstration against the fraudulent ‘act of free choice’ in 1969, was arrested and spend some time in jail.  In 1972 he founded the guitar band Manyori with Jopie Jouwe and Sam Kapisa. This group was the first guitar band that performed in Protestant churches to accompany services of worship with self-composed Christian songs based on traditional Biak-Numfoor melodies, in which the hand drum, the tifa, was also used.
After graduating, he joined the UNCEN museum of the Anthropology Faculty of Cenderawasih University and soon became its curator. He did fieldwork throughout western Papua documenting its many musical cultures, dance forms, stories, traditional craft practices and art forms. In 1978 he founded the group Mambesak with Sam Kapisa, Yowi Kafiar and Marthinny Sawaki. Arnold Ap and Mambesak developed the West Papua guitar band style of songs in different Papuan languages ​​and music styles that is now a regular part of West Papua string band music. He also started a weekly radio program Pelangi Budaya dan Pancaran Sastra on the Jayapura local radio station, a mixture of stories, music, jokes and current events. Both the group and the radio program became extremely popular in a short time all over the country. Five music cassettes and four songbooks of Mambesak were issued by the museum. But his promotion of Papuan cultures and a common Papuan identity was increasingly seen as a threat by the colonial Indonesian government. On 30 November 1983, he was arrested and on 16 April 1984 he was shot dead by soldiers of the Indonesian special forces. His wife Corry Ap-Bukorioper and their children fled to Papua New Guinea and were granted asylum in the Netherlands a year later.
Arnold Ap’s tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They were recorded by Arnold Ap and sent to Freerk Kamma.
The tapes are part of the audio collection of the foundation PACE Papua Cultural Inheritance. For more information or any messages or correspondence contact huublems81@gmail.com or srgales@ziggo.nl
For a broadcast on Arnold Ap and his influence on the music of West Papua listen to the Klankbron on the Concertzender of 27-10-2017 rebroadcasted on 26-11-2021.
https://www.concertzender.nl/programma/de_klankbron_418058/

Arnold Ap s visie. Corrie Ap vertelt over haar leven met Arnold Ap aan Frank Hubatka.

 

band 34

Arnold Ap 1

In an orange green Europa Band box 13 cm on a brandless spool with a speed of 9.5 and 4.75 cm/sec. Tape recorded by Arnold Ap and then sent to Freerk Kamma. On the box the dates 9-11-1977 and 6-4-1979 (B side) are written as well as the words Sandia, Erisam, Wongge, Inarhuo, Bejuser and Koreri which probably indicate song genres. The word Wor, also a genre, and lastly part Abonneeze (Ambonese) music are written on a paper glued to the spool on side A. On side A the tape starts with Arnold Ap introducing himself to Freerk Kamma followed by a short interview. Then follow songs, string band style, probably Mambesak with an introduction by Arnold Ap. The last song has a 2-seconds gap after two minutes and is then continued. One can hear a car horn around 22 minutes. Side B continues with four songs of which the last ends abruptly; then Arnold Ap talks about Wor and about Mambesak. Then follow a number of songs with an introduction by Arnold Ap in which he also mentions the different regions where the songs come from. Around 44’30 a radio broadcast starts with a male and female presenter, with Arnold Ap and songs by Mambesak; the last part has tifa songs, with an interview, some talk about Kamma, and some more songs, the last one ending abruptly.

Side A is 49’18 and Side B is 86’31

Band 35

Arnold Ap 2 side A

In an orange green Europa Band box 13 cm on a BASF spool with a speed of 4.75 cm/sec. Tape recorded by Arnold Ap and then sent to Freerk Kamma . On the box is written Mandaesir Wor Koreri ? Bejuser ? Bejuser-Koreri Kajob-Numfor Bujiser, Kankanes huba Rumkorem – Auki – Kadwor + Widwom 2e kant (side B) Bejuser – Manarmakardi with a line to Bejuser 1e bandje (First tape) and below Bejuser id.
There is also a reference to the different regions; mentioned are Balim – Asmat Paniai Nafri Baliem Sentani 2e kant (Side B) Teminabuan  – Biak language + guitar – Erisam Bakliem Arso – Suiangka Bamboo guitar – Ajamaroe – slamat djalam. On the spool side A is a note glued with the words Arnold Ap comments on the Wor of Biak, the birth of Jesus and there is also a spoken letter to the family Kamma on the first side.
Side A starts with Ap talking with a musician and wor and koreri songs with tifa accompaniment; after 43’00 Ap and examples of wor and traditional songs from different regions such as moutharp from Paniai Enarotali.  After 48’00 a Mambesak song from Sentani,  52’40 a radio broadcast with a female presenter, Mambesak songs, comments by Ap, and traditional songs from different regions. At 93’00 there is some classical music.
On side B is only classical music. The B side can not to be listene to.

Side A is 97’34 and Side B is 74’35

Band 36

Arnold Ap III Wor

In a blue Repeto tape box on a BASF spool, speed 4.5 cm/sec. Tape recorded by Arnold Ap and then sent to Freerk Kamma. It could be that the English pop songs at the end of side A were recorded by some members of the family Kamma.
On the inside of the box is written Wor ro Arnoldus Marisan born 1906 from Mandori Nimfori. Wor Koreri with comments of Arnold Ap and modern composition Biak.
Side A start with a solo song, then with guitar accompaniment. Ap gives comments; then two Mambesak songs follow, Wambeso and Emambo, comments by Ap and then more Mambesak songs and comments by Ap. After 56’00 minutes there are  a number of English pop songs, till the end. On Side B there are 5 minutes of text by Arnold Ap and the rest of the tape is empty.

Side A  is 77’28 and Side B is 4’51

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Ap wor 1

The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. This is the same tape as Arnold Ap 1 only digitized with another tape recorder in 2005 and without the part in 4.75 cm/sec.
If you want to listen to this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.

Side A is 48’58 and Side B is 12’16

 

Band 141

Cassette F

The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. It belonged to the Oegstgeest tapes and is now part of the PKN collection in the Utrecht Archive. More about the history of this collection on the Oegstgeest Freerk Kamma page. It is a Sony HF60 cassette in the same brand box. On the A side of the cassette is a copy of Tape 13 A Wor Biak / Dow Tobati / Dow Vanimo and on the B side of the cassette a copy of Tape 13 B Beusir-mawese; ro biaksya; sibar ro rumnggobedi; Yoh. 3:16, Mnavese. Side A starts with Arnold Ap introducing himself with soft guitar music in the background; at 5’00 follows string band music, Mambesak, 7’33 sudden change, other song, 9’09 Arnold Ap talks about wor and Tobati, 13’34 Mambesak, 16’34 Arnold Ap, 20’14 Mambesak, 22’18 other track, 25’57 Arnold Ap on Sentani, 27’53 Mambesak, 29’46 Arnold Ap, 31’06 Mambesak excerpt. Side B starts with a Teminabuan tune, 0’24 radio broadcast announcement, 0’57 Mambesak, 1’41 presenter Arnold Ap, 3’27 Mambesak, 4’14 presenter Arnold Ap, 5’03 Mambesak, 5’20 woman presenter, 6’46 Mambesak, 7’05 presenter Arnold Ap, 8’53 Mambesak, 9’22 woman presenter, 11’56 Mambesak, 12’25 presenter Arnold Ap, 15’01 Mambesak, 15’45 woman presenter, 17’31 Mambesak, 18’00 woman presenter, 19’36 presenter Arnold Ap, 20’20 Mambesak, 21’05 presenter Arnold Ap, 23’32 Mambesak, 24’20 presenter Arnold Ap, 25’03 Mambesak, 28’44 conch shell trumpet, 29’03 tune with text, 30’20 added words Arnold Ap.

Side A is 31’21 and Side B is 30’48

 

Band 208

Mambesak 1

The cassette is a home made copy of the original publication by the Lembaga Antropologi Universitas Cenderawasih. It is volume 1 of the Seri Lagu Rakyat Iriani. It was discontinued by the University after the death of Arnold Ap and it was only available in the form of home-made copies. The sound quality is average with a few drop outs in one of the channels. For Side A the tracks are mentioned: 1 Akai bipa marsi, 2 Maitwu som, 3 Syowi yena, 4 Waniambai, 5 Kenate derane. 6 Nute mutajo, 7 Yapo mamacica, 8 Lenso inoni nifako. And for Side B: 1 Metemani, 2 Nuru aipani, 3 Omentaiseo, 4 Sya yamewir au ba, 5 Ina firumi, 6 Tutum dugu, 7 Na sisar matiti, 8 Ngan betap. Not mentioned is the last track on Side A.

Side A is 31’55 and Side B is 31’48

Band 186

Mambesak 2

It is an original cassette of Mambesak as it was published by the Lembaga Antropologi Universitas Cenderawasih. It is volume 2 of the Seri Lagu Rakyat Iriani. As it was discontinued by the University after the death of Arnold Ap and it was only available in the form of home-made copies, we feel free to let anyone listen to it on our website. The sound quality is average with a number of drop outs. On side A are mentioned: 1. Bimbo yesina, 2. Sorga base wali sip, 3. Awino sup ine, 4. Hindang makhendang, 5. Ine sisar matiti, 6. Tapere, 7. Yayun wambeso, 8. Nanen babe. On Side B: 1. Mame ayo, 2. Yako car, 3. Do mi dow, 4. Erisam 1, 5. Nemu ririau pai, 6. Emambo simbo, 7. Yakoa, 8. Sio Ae. But the first broken off track on Side A is not mentioned and on Side B track 6 is Yakoa and track 7 is Emambo simbo.

Side A is 30’58 and Side B is 30’46

Band 187

Mambesak 3

It is an original cassette of Mambesak as it was published by the Lembaga Antropologi Universitas Cenderawasih. It is volume 3 of the Seri Lagu Rakyat Iriani. It was discontinued by the University after the death of Arnold Ap and it was only available in the form of home-made copies. The sound quality is average. The tracks mentioned on side A are: 1. Weno, 2. Iyaya, 3. Yaimarira, 4. Hemeng Preka,  5. Arafabye on side B: 1. Swan iwanda ma, 2. Namaka nanjika, 3. Arui, 4. Ria, 5. Porea. The last track on side B is not mentioned.

Side A is 30’05 and Side B is 31’01

Band 188

Mambesak 4

It is an original cassette of Mambesak as it was published by the Lembaga Antropologi Universitas Cenderawasih. It is volume 4 of the Seri Lagu Rakyat Iriani. There were two different editions with a different sleeve and two inserts with the tracks and the pictures of the band members with a bird as head-dress. It was discontinued by the University after the death of Arnold Ap and it was only available in the form of home-made copies. The sound quality is average with a number of drop outs of one channel. The tracks mentioned on side A are: 1. Piruje, 2. Sup mowi ya, 3. Nusan singgil, 4. Kuri Passi, 5. Wanangba, 6. Syabo mutira, 7. Kemim kwambu. On side B: 1. Etob nakeb ma, 2. Airaro beseya, 3. Hasiri, 4. Nit pughuluok na, 5. Wayut lo, 6. Nonabaku, 7. Henggi

Side A is 30’21 and Side B is 30’46

Band 209

Mambesak 5

The cassette is a home-made copy of the original publication by the Lembaga Antropologi Universitas Cenderawasih. It is volume 5 of the Seri Lagu Rakyat Iriani. It was discontinued by the University after the death of Arnold Ap and it was only available in the form of home-made copies. The sound quality is average to low. The tracks on Side A: 1. Ismari, 2. Aro ero, 3. Wondama, 4. Nyah sami, 5. Any imakiko, 6. Apienim bikoro, 7. Tatamena, 8. Takinenya, 9. Atitani. Side B: 1. Roro kawa, 2. Wawato dani, 3. Airo ina, 4. Esarwau, 5. Musamaela, 6. Numeri, 7. Irsinggit, 8. Awak param. For Side A, track 2 is Wondama followed by the tracks mentioned above, Aro Ero is track 9 and the last track is not mentioned.

Side A is 28’18 and Side B is 28’38

For a broadcast on Arnold Ap and his influence on the music of West Papua listen to the Klankbron on the Concertzender of 27-10-2017 rebroadcasted on 26-11-2021.The programme was announced like this: Arnold Ap was in 1978 one of the founders of Mambesak and in the five years the band existed before Arnold Ap and his colleague Eddy Mofu were killed by the special forces of the Indonesian army they managed to make string band music the way to express the cultural pride and longing for freedom of the indigenous people of West Papua. A dangerous venture and Arnold Ap and Eddy Mofu paid with their lives while the other band members, their families and many more Papua’s had to flee and became refugees across the globe. Now thirty years later he has become the icon of Papua Freedom and his music is in and outside West Papua more performed than ever before.
https://www.concertzender.nl/programma/de_klankbron_418058/