How did the 'Are'are people of Malaita pass on their musical knowledge without writing it down?

The 'Are'are people of Malaita pass on their musical knowledge through an oral tradition rather than written notation. They possess an extensive, sophisticated system of musical concepts centered on 'au—the bamboo material used to craft their panpipes.1

This complex music theory, which is in some respects homologous to European music theory, is transmitted orally among specialists. By maintaining this knowledge through direct instruction and practice, the 'Are'are preserve their distinct musical traditions, which include four types of panpipe ensembles and more than 20 recognized musical types.1