Indian Ocean Territories TouR 2024

CircuitWest announces inaugural tour bringing Maloya and Creole music to the Indian Ocean Territories

Image credit Peter Zuvela

CircuitWest is excited to announce its inaugural tour of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The tour of ‘Salama Maloya’ will feature the enchanting sounds of Maloya and Creole music by local band Salama. This will be CircuitWest’s first tour to these unique communities and the 19th tour delivered through the Australian Government’s Indian Ocean Territories Touring program.

“We’re thrilled to bring the magic of Salama’s Maloya and Creole music to the Indian Ocean Territories for the first time,” said Philippa Maughan, Executive Director of CircuitWest. ”This tour embodies our commitment to fostering cultural exchange and enriching the lives of communities.”

Known for their captivating rhythms, joyful chants and flamboyant dances, Salama describes itself as “a cosmopolitan collective of Indian Ocean natives and other artists of diverse origins, all sharing a passion for Maloya, a traditional percussion-based music from Reunion Island.”

” We’re honoured to share the powerful and magical rhythms of Maloya with the communities of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands,” said lead singer and bandleader Muriel Hillion.

In addition to electrifying performances, Salama will also conduct music and dance workshops to engage with local communities, providing an opportunity for cultural exchange and learning.

The tour promises to be a celebration of cultural heritage, creativity, and community spirit.

Services provided by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in the Indian Ocean Territories are delivered in partnership with the Australian Government, through Commonwealth funding support. The Salama Maloya tour is coordinated by CircuitWest.

Salama Maloya 2024 Tour Dates

Christmas Island

  • Friday, 19 April at 11.00 am, Christmas Island District High School
  • Sunday, 21 April at 4.00 pm, Christmas Island Cricket and Sporting Club

 

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

  • Wednesday, 24 April at 6.40 pm, Home Island Foreshore (Pondok Indah)
  • Saturday, 27 April at 6.00 pm, West Island Basketball Quadrangle

 

Salama Biography

Salama band is a cosmopolitan collective of Indian Ocean natives and other artists of diverse origins, all sharing a passion for Maloya. They come from Reunion Island, Mauritius, the Seychelles, West Africa (Mali/Guinea), New Caledonia, France, and Australia. Salama’s guest artist, Axel Sautron, is a Reunionese singer, musician, composer, and dancer who studied Maloya at the Conservatory of Reunion Island in 1993. An expert in traditional Maloya music, Axel has prepared a suitcase full of songs and dance moves to captivate audiences and transport them on a musical journey to Reunion Island.