Ruatu String Band to launch Volume 8 on July 17
July 7, 2026 11:29 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Len Garae.
Ruatu String Band of Taloa Village on Nguna Island is set to launch its Volume 8 album at Independence Garden, opposite Independence Park Stand, on Friday 17 July. The band, which has been in existence since the 1980s, continues to promote string band music and unity across the island.
The band’s name means “the South East Wind”, which fans the village non-stop and inspired the name.
Some of the current members are related to the original members who formed the band at its beginning.
Originally, the band was formed by two villages and gradually took in members from other villages to unite the eleven villages on the island.
“Ruatu String Band believes in promoting peace and unity throughout the island despite any differences that might have existed in the past between villages,” says the Chairman of Taloa Port Vila Association, Mr. Douglas Tamara.
“Furthermore, Ruatu wishes to thank all those individuals who have contributed in one way or another towards the development of the band in the past, now and in the future.”
For lovers of string band music in general, Mr. Tamara, who has had the privilege of listening to the twelve songs, says those who buy Volume 8 “won’t regret a thing” since the songs include laid-back music that calms the spirit and takes the mind to a unique place known only to the listener.
The songs in the latest volume are composed in the indigenous language and Bislama, with a flavour of English.
In addition, Tamara says the band looks beyond the island and also aims to help young people become involved in something useful for themselves and their communities.
The Volume 8 launch on July 17 will include a number of the band’s products for sale, including uniforms and pro-cards. One pro-card costs VT1,500.
In addition, Ruatu, like other string bands, has a large tent with 100 chairs for hire for marriage celebrations and other public events.
For those on seasonal work in Australia and New Zealand, Tamara suggests they connect with the String Band Chairman, Mr. Timothy Sisi, or any seasonal worker from Nguna to assist them.
Asked what other impacts Ruatu has made on the development of the island, he said the band had bought one tonne of cement for the Utanlang Community Building Project, solar lights for a number of roads on the island, and a full set of uniforms for North Efate Football Club.
“Most importantly, I wish to assure all contributors to the band that all monies collected have been safely invested towards the development of the band and the island.”
