Freerk Kamma was born in Wierum on 16 February 1906 and died in Leiden on 24 September 1987. He was a missionary and anthropologist. After his father had a fatal accident, subsequent to primary school he worked as a sailor on a ‘tjalk’ for shell fishing and on a motor vessel for inland shipping while he trained as a skipper at the nautical evening school. Through the Young Men’s Christian Association, he came into contact with the mission and he decided to become a missionary himself. To be admitted to the Missionary School he had to take an entrance exam. After three months of preparation he passed the exam and was admitted to the Missionary School in Oegstgeest. It was a six-year course that lasted from 1925 to 1931. During that period, he also got to know his future wife, Maria van Dijk. In 1931 he was sent as a missionary teacher to Dutch New Guinea where Genjem-Nimboran became his first station. In 1932 Maria van Dijk also came over and they got married. Manokwari was his second posting and in 1933 he was transferred to Sorong where, as the resort missionary, he was responsible for the western part of the Birds Head region, the Raja Ampat islands and the Ajau archipelago. There he learned to speak the Biak language fluently and also to express himself in the local Papuan languages. He started collecting traditional stories and objects as well.
In 1942, he and his family were interned in Japanese prison camps, where he contracted a bowel disease, and would never fully recover from its effects. In 1946 he was evacuated to the Netherlands and there he remained under medical supervision until 1954. At the same time, after a ‘colloquium doctum’, he started studying anthropology in which he obtained his doctorate in 1954 with a study on the Koréri movements. ‘De Messiaanse Koreri-bewegingen in het Biaks-Noemfoorse cultuurgebied, Voorhoeve, Den Haag’. It is still an important anthropological work on West Papua. An English translation and extended version appeared in 1973 as ‘Koreri; Messianistic movements in the Biak-Numfor culture area, The Hague.’ In 1955 he returned to New Guinea as team leader of the missionary work of the Dutch Reformed Church and after the independence of the Evangelical Christian Church (ECC) in New Guinea in 1956 as secretary of the General Synod of that church. Following a year’s leave in the Netherlands in 1959, he returned to New Guinea in 1960 as a pastor-anthropologist in the service of the ECC and did research on the Moi, Tehit, Mejbrat, Karoon and Arfak in the Vogelkop. In 1961 he was appointed as a member of the New Guinea Council, a political body that was perceived as the precursor of an indigenous people’s parliament. At the end of 1962, shortly before the handover to Indonesia, the Kamma family left for the Netherlands. Back in the Netherlands he taught at the Zendings Hogeschool in Oegstgeest and he wrote a whole series of books and articles. Worth mentioning is the two-volume book ‘Dit wonderlijke werk. Het probleem van de communicatie tussen oost en west gebaseerd op de ervaringen in het zendingswerk op Nieuw-Guinea (Irian Jaya) 1855-1972; Een socio-missiologische benadering, Oegstgeest: Raad voor de Zending van de Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk, 1976’, and the three volumes of translated stories ‘Romawaforja, child of the fire; Iron working and the role of iron in West New Guinea (West Irian), Leiden: Brill, 1973’, ‘Religious texts of the oral tradition from Western New Guinea (Irian Jaya). A. The origin and sources of life, collected and translated by F. C. Kamma, Leiden: Brill, 1975’ and ‘Religious texts of the oral tradition from Western New Guinea (Irian Jaya). B. The threat to life and its defense against ‘natural’ and ‘supernatural’ phenomena, collected and translated by F. C. Kamma, Leiden: Brill, 1978’
In the post-war period, the music lover Kamma became acquainted with the tape recorder and he began to use the device fanatically to record radio broadcasts and events he experienced. Spoken letters and field recordings were also a medium he used and became a regular part of his research activities, relying on his memory as the description of the recordings. He also exchanged recordings with other people who made recordings in West Papua such as J.C. Anceaux and Siegfried Zöllner. Kamma’s recordings were used several times by the Dutch Reformed Church in their slide sound series about the mission, which you can find on the page about the PKN. Due to the large number of tapes, the Freerk Kamma collection has been split into several parts. The main part is listed below. The second part are the tapes and cassettes copied for the VPRO Urubicha radio broadcast Dit wonderlijk werk and have now been redigitized. They can be found on the Dit wonderlijk werk page. The Arnold Ap tapes are on the Arnold Ap page but are part of the Freerk Kamma collection from Pace. The Oegstgeest tapes are part of the PKN audio collection and are at the moment in the Archive of Utrecht. They can be found on the page Oegstgeest Freerk Kamma.
The tapes listed below 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
Band 37
63 Kerkdienst Biak, Geelvinkbaai
A tape of Freerk Kamma, probably also recorded by him. The tape, with parts of a Protestant church service, is in a transparent box on a Philips spool with the number 63 in pencil written on the label. The tape has been recorded on Biak with a congregation from the northern region of West Papua present. It contains mainly church hymns and short speeches.
Side A starts with choir singing, female and male, with one short speech after 7 minutes. Side B starts with a bell, sounds of nature and community singing, followed by a choir song; from 4’40 there are a number of short speeches by people from different regions. Everyone mentions where he or she comes from Biak, Waropen, Sentani, Sarmi, Japen, Sorong, Wandammen, Fakfak and Arguni. At 8’50 a number of choir songs follow. The tape ends abruptly. Side B could be the beginning of the recording. The languages are Dutch, Biak and Bahasa.
Side A is 13’54 and Side B is 15’11
Band 38
meerstemmige gezangen
A tape in a grey Philips box el 3953/60, 8cm, speed 9.5 cm/s and on a brandless spool. The box was meant to be used for the postal sending of tapes. As the addresses are partly glued over one can only say that the tape came from the MVVS (girls continuation school, a secondary school for girls) probably the same one as is on the tape in Sorong. It is not clear who recorded the tape but it is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. On the back cover of the box is indicated what is on the tape: Polyphonic songs Girls School Sorong – Schoolkids Ayau + drums and song. Side A starts with choir songs, tuning of the voices, and also has a whistle involved. From time to time the recordings are overloaded. Side B has more choir songs with the volume rising and falling between 7’20 and 10’20. At 10’20 drumming (tifas) starts, with songs. Also, in this part the volume rises and falls and it ends with a fade out.
Side A is 16’39 and Side B is 14’19
Band 39
Rotary
The tape is in a self-made stapled cardboard box on an AGFA spool, speed 9.5 and 4.75 cm/sec. It is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. On the box is written that on side A there is modern music and that on Side B there are Nose Piercing Dances, which are dances and songs connected to the ritual of Nose Piercing and are often part of initiation rites. The locality mentioned is Kaptiau in the Sarmi area. Further, choir songs Hai Tanakuh Papua, songs from Tahiti, bird calls and Jazz. In the box there was also a note on which was written Song, drum, talking, mouth harp, one man talks, the choir song Dari Ombak, one man sings well and others join in (goodbye Biak) and for the second side a radio lecture.
Side A starts with group songs and tifa; at 6’00 the choir song Hai Tanakuh follows, at 7’52 there follows a few songs in pacific guitar band style, probably recorded from the radio, from 13’25 there are sound of nature, voices, and traffic till the end. Side B starts with African rhythms, followed by modern classical and early electronic music, Indian sitar, more modern classical, gamelan, more modern classical and early electronic music, and when the speed changes to 4.75 cm/sec pop music recorded from a radio broadcast, Forbidden City by John Buck and his Blazers, WB 5194 from 1960.
If you want to listen to side B, email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 15’11 and Side B is 16’19
Band 40
Emitape
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. It is in a red Emitape box and on a Kodak spool made in Australia, 7.3 cm, speed 9.5 cm/sec. The writings on and in the box refers to something which was on the tape before or on another tape which was in the box before. On side A Maria Kamma – van Dijk describes their house in Hollandia and its surroundings, the way they live, the Bergweg, the car of vicar Rumainum, sister de Reus, their activities and a visit to Enggros. On side B the visit to Enggros continues and also a visit on a Sunday to Tabaki, Kawati, the Sko villages together with her husband on church business. Quite lively and gives a good impression of how they lived in West Papua.
Side A is 13’08 and Side B is 13’28
Band 41
Merzig
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. In a self-made cardboard and stapled box on a BASF spool, 7.5 cm, speed 9.5 cm/sec. On the tape Maria Kamma-Van Dijk and her daughter talk about their journey to and from Merzig in Germany to visit one of her other daughters, Corry, who had a serious accident with a bus and was staying in hospital. Sometimes a German speaking man who was also part of their group says something. The story was meant for the other family members who could not be on the same journey such as the father Freerk Kamma who was in West Papua at that time.
If want to listen to the tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 12’25 and Side B is 12,22
Band 42
Merzig-reis Janete
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. In a self-made cardboard and stapled box on an Emitape spool made in Great Britain, 7.5 cm, speed 4.75 and 9.5 cm/sec. The tape deals with the Merzig journey of Janete and speeches of Uncle Jan with interruptions from aunt Ann, cousin Jan and Anneke about the health situation of Corry and her bus accident. This is all on Side A and it was meant as a spoken letter to Freerk Kamma. Side B has recordings of Anceaux with English comments by him. It starts with a song, the hunter, followed by an English announcement of ‘a modern dance of Sarmi, Josim’ by Anceaux; this song is followed by an announcement of ‘a traditional song from Bongo called teliphone’. The song is followed by an announcement ‘Biak song from Sorong’, the song is followed by the announcement ‘..rebile song from Waropen, Geelvink bay’, after the song followed by Anceaux announcing ‘Then the Kapuaku people, Wissel Lakes’ and after that song Anceaux announces ‘? of the warriors of Guay’ as the last song.
If you want to listen to Side A of this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 21’59 and Side B is 11’09
Band 43
Begrafenis Frans
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in a brown white Irish Brown Band # 195 box and on an AGFA spool, 7.5 cm, speed 4.75 cm/sec. On side A is the funeral service of Freerk Kamma his brother Frans in which a number of people speak, also to the family members who are not present: Freerk, Rie short for Maria and Corrie, an indication that the tape was meant as a spoken letter. On side B Corrie, Freerk and Rie talk about the situation in West Papua just after the agreement to hand over West Papua to Indonesia, and their work and activities.
If you want to listen to Side A of this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 26’05 and Side B is 26’01
Band 44 is empty
Band 45
Encore 20
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in an Encore Recording Tape box with a Viking image and on a brandless spool. 12.5 cm, speed 4.75 cm/sec. On side A are Christmas songs in German, English and French with organ accompaniment, further classical orchestral music. On side B are folk songs Russian style and then a radio broadcast on Greek music with Dutch comments.
If you want to listen to this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 65’49 and Side B is 65’30
Band 46
Irish Brand 19
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. It is in a yellow brown box of Irish brand Brown Band 195 and on an American Molded Products spool of 12.8 cm, speed 4.75 cm/sec. On side A is a family gathering in which the children sing children’s songs and Christmas songs for their grandmother and grandfather; other people also sing with piano accompaniment, and send their greetings and best wishes for the silver wedding festivity of Kamma in West Papua, mentioning 1959, and they talk about when they come back to Holland. On side B is the continuation of the gathering with songs and talk about the future. Best wishes from uncle, aunt and niece. It ends with music from Mozart from a record sung by Erna Sporenberg. Abrupt end. The tape was meant to be a spoken letter. Language: Dutch.
If you want to listen to this tape, email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 65’09 and Side B is 62’59
Band 47-50
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 51
Afsch J de Vries
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. It is in a green Philips EL 3915 13 cm box; the tape is on a Philips spool, speed 4.75 cm/sec. On A side is a recording of a Protestant church service in Assen in which it is mentioned that Jan de Vries will go to West Papua as a missionary and in addition, the local vicar as a representative of the union of former students as well as Jan de Vries himself give a short speech. Side B is the continuation of the service. Also mentioned is that 2 years ago, Corrie Kamma also spoke in this church before going to West Papua. The language is Dutch.
Side A is 57’53 and Side B is 19’51
Band 52-55
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 56
Kinderen
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape has no box but is on a Philips spool, 12.7 cm, speed 9.5 cm/sec. A festivity of the Kamma family celebrating 40 years of marriage of Freerk Kamma and Maria van Dijk. They sing songs, talk about memories and a lot about West Papua; Freerk Kamma talks about all the houses they lived in, his first tour and other stories. The language is Dutch.
If you want to listen to this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 46’27 and Side B is 46’30
Band 57-59
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if one really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 60
Kitty
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in a red Emitape box, the spool is brandless, 12.7 cm, speed 9.5 cm/sec. Side A is a recording of the festivities on 17 February 1976 in Duinoord for the 70th birthday of Freerk Kamma, with songs, stories, presents and prayer. On side B is a radio broadcast of a church service in Amsterdam with a sermon on West Papua followed by a music programme with classical and popular tunes and songs.
If you want to listen to side A of this tape, email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 42’44 and Side B is 42’21
Band 61-62
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to the tape but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 63
Emitape 16
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in a red Emitape box, the spool is also Emitape. On side A there are classical music, spirituals, brass band and organ pieces. The B side is a spoken letter by the children to their parents with self-played tunes, songs, a poem, some records and from 35’00, a radio recording.
It is not possible to listen to Side A, but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. If you want to listen to side B of this tape, email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 95’51 and Side B is 95’48
Band 64-70
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 71
Philips 6
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in a brandless transparent round plastic box on a Philips spool, 12.7 cm, speed 4.75 and 9.5 cm/sec. The sound quality is mediocre. On side A it starts with choir songs, then the sound of the environment: sounds of birds and dogs, a bell, birds; Freerk Kamma says a woodpecker and a cricket; more dogs and birds. Drums, flutes, church hymns, flutes and drums. Birds, traffic, children’s voices. At 22’00 an announcement of Queen’s day by Freerk Kamma followed by tifas and songs. At 29’00, a traditional group song. At 31’30 choir songs, at 42’00 a radio recording of light music till the end. Side B is a radio recording of classical music.
It is not possible to listen to Side B, but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 48’01 and Side B is 90’48
Band 72-73
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Band 74
Archief-bandjes
The tape is part of the Freerk Kamma collection. The tape is in a red white round plastic Philips box and on a brandless spool, 12.4 cm, speed 4.75 and for a short part, 9.5 cm/sec. On side A is a family festivity on the occasion of 30 years of marriage of Freerk and Maria Kamma, with speeches and piano music, as a spoken letter. From 26’33 there follows a radio broadcast of the last programme of Radio Omroep Nederlands Nieuw Guinea (Dutch Radio of New Guinea) in Hollandia with Dutch and Papuan music, followed by a report of the handing over ceremony to the United Nations. After 49’00 followed by classical music. On side B there is a spoken letter from the family with more members talking and sending their greetings. If you want to listen to side B of this tape email to PACE at the above email addresses.
Side A is 92’28 and Side B is 90’48
Band 75-83
The tapes are part of the Freerk Kamma collection. They contain classical music from the radio and/or records. It is not possible to listen to them but if you really want, there is a more extensive description available. Email to PACE at the above email addresses.