Music of the Cook Islands

The music of the Cook Islands is diverse, with Christian music being especially popular. Imene tuki is a form of unaccompanied vocal music known for its uniquely Polynesian drop in pitch at the end of phrases, along with staccato rhythmic bursts of nonsensical syllables called tuki. The word 'imene' is derived from the English word 'hymn' (see Tahitian: 'himene' — Tahiti was first colonised by the English). Likewise, the harmonies and tune characteristics, known as strophe patterns, of much Polynesian music are Western in style, deriving from missionaries through hymns and other Church music.