This record and illustrated book contains songs and spoken testimonies delivered over Melanesian beats and soundscapes. The illustrations by Michael Kumnick have been drawn based on the testimonies of survivors and witnesses of the 1998 Biak massacre in West Papua, as given at the 2013 Citizen’s Tribunal.

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The events as told by the survivors echo the stories coming out of West Papua over recent uprisings in the towns and villages. The testimonies are spoken/written by Mama Tineke, Yudha Korwa, Ronny Kareni, Sixta Mambour, and Marcel Meltherorong with music produced by David Bridie and performed by Radical Son, the late Ferry Marisan, and Tio Bang amongst others.

The way the project uses its heartfelt source material in picture, poem, song and music is a highlight. The protestors gathered under the morning star flag held by Filep Korma up at the Water Tower above Biak City. In the coming four days, more than 200 protestors were found dead on the streets or washed up on the shore. The project aims to give voice to these stories and share the events and plight of the West Papuan people with a wider audience. The testimony lights up the ways Papuans have held on to hope.

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We Have Come To Testify is proudly released on Wantok Musik as a combined book and CD package, after its timely launch in Port Vila, Vanuatu on Friday, 20 November 2019. The package is available as a free purchase (book and CD hard copy) or digital download (see link below), via our online store.

DOWNLOAD OR ORDER WE HAVE COME TO TESTIFY HERE

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Supported by Dulwich Centre Foundation, Wantok Musik, Make West Papua Safe, ELSHAM and The Australian Research Council.

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In memory of Ferry Marisan, talented musician and songwriter, friend and brother, who passed away just before the book went to print.