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 The
Arts
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Yidaki master heads south
Issue 93 - 10 Nov 2005
ISSUE 92, Nov 10, 2005: Djalu Gurruwiwi is a living national treasure and Arnhem Land’s latest international cult figure. And this month he brings to Melbourne the vitality and power of traditional Yolngu culture, steeped in ancient traditions and the mysteries of the sacred known only to fully initiated men.
Yidaki (didgeridoo) playing and making workshops and traditional songs and dances of the Galpu clan will be offered by Djalu Gurruwiwi and family.
Djalu is a senior member of the Galpu clan, Dhangu language group.
His status as a yidaki master craftsman has grown to Herculean proportions over recent years.
In 1986, Djalu’s reputation as a expert didgeridoo craftsman was given a major boost with the establishment of the Yothu Yindi band.
The Aboriginal members of the band commissioned their close relative and recognised elite craftsman, Djalu, to make instruments for them. These instruments toured with the band and were also used in studio recordings that were released under the Mushroom Records label.
As Yothu Yindi began to pique the interest of non-Indigenous audiences around the world with its blend of contemporary and traditional grooves, combined with the energetic stage dancing normally restricted to ceremonial rituals, so too did the didgeridoo awaken the dormant tribal instinct in all of us.
If Generation X was looking for a hero, they had found it in Djalu - the gentle and quietly-spoken Galpu man who is fond of bright shirts and mirrored sunglasses.
As the idolizing public got to know Djalu, they saw not only a man possessed with spreading the message of the didgeridoo - and you’ll understand what this message is if you play the didgeridoo and have met Djalu - but also an incredibly generous and open-hearted human being.
In between hosting the throng of overseas visitors who make their pilgrimage to his ramshackle house in remote Arnhem Land, Djalu balances his time between family, community, ceremonial and public duties.
In 1997, Djalu took part in one of the most important exhibitions of Aboriginal art, the Painters of the Wagilag Sisters Story 1937-1997. Staged at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, Djalu opened the exhibition with yidaki playing and helped with the construction of a sacred sand sculpture in the foyer of the exhibition space.
In 1998, Djalu collaborated with Australian and overseas artists and printmakers in The Meeting of the Waters project at the Northern Territory University.
Djalu delivered the first Yidaki Masterclass at the inaugural Garma Festival in 1999, delighting Australian and international guests with his challenging tuition and infectious personality. He has delivered all subsequent Yidaki Masterclasses at Garma in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Djalu’s first international outing was in 2002 at the Rripangu Yidaki Festival - named in honour of his family run business enterprise - in the tranquil town of Eisenbach in Germany’s Blackforest. He followed this up with a visit to the USA and Taiwan in 2003 where his mastery of the yidaki and natural charisma etched unforgettable memories in the minds of those in attendance. In 2004 Djalu and other members of his family travelled to the UAE for the Dubai Sister Cities Forum, and in 2005 he travelled to Japan for World Expo as well as Yidaki Festa.
In 2003 was the Northern Territory Export Awards held at the Crown Plaza in Darwin. Djalu accepted first prize in the Art and Entertainment category on behalf of north-east Arnhem Land yidaki makers. In 2004 Djalu was featured in the NAIDOC Week special of George Negus Tonight on ABC television. 2005 saw Djalu playing yidaki for Nelson Mandela in Sydney, Australia, in a special meeting of 2 great leaders.
Typically hewn from large termite-hollowed eucalyptus trees, Djalu’s instruments are prized for their highly resonant qualities and shapely aesthetics. His ability to select the right sort of tree to craft into exquisite musical instruments is legendary among his clansmen and testament to his unparalleled skill and vast knowledge.
In Melbourne, Djalu will be hosting didgeridoo playing and making workshops, offering rare and unique insights into traditional practice and knowledge. On stage five dancers (Jennifer Dopiya, Zelda Balpiyangay, Larry Winiwini, Jimmy Bukumani and Adrian Nyinanyina) in full ceremonial body paint provide a mesmerising show of agility, grace and speed with the soaring vocals of Alfred Gurritjiri and Jason Guwanbal accompanying Djalu on the yidaki.
• Schedule of events
12th November - Public event
What: Masterclass yidaki workshops & Women’s workshop (weaving etc.)
Where: Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, Victoria 3095, When: 2pm-5pm
Cost: $80 for yidaki playing workshop. $600 for yidaki making workshop (2 places available), participant keep the instrument they make. Women’s workshop by donation.
Bookings: Montsalvat (03) 9439 7712 or tickets at door.
Montsalvat consists of a series of historic buildings set on 12 acres of beautiful parkland. It has a long and proud history of supporting the performing and visual arts. Students may bring their own didgeridoo or borrow one made by Djalu. Djalu’s instructional CDs and authentic Djalu yidaki available for sale
13th November - Public event
What: Masterclass yidaki workshops and women’s workshop (weaving etc.), traditional bunggul concert
Where: Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, Victoria 3095 When: 2pm-5pm for workshops, 6.00pm-7.30pm for traditional bunggul concert
Cost: $80 for yidaki playing workshop ($60 for those who attended the 1st day). $600 for yidaki making workshop (2 places available), participants keep the instrument they make. Women’s workshop by donation. Concert ticket price is $25/$10 concession (children under 16, students with concession card, unemployed, senior citizens etc.)
Bookings: Montsalvat (03) 9439 7712 or tickets at door
Montsalvat consists of a series of historic buildings set on 12 acres of beautiful parkland. It has a long and proud history of supporting the performing and visual arts. Students may bring their own didgeridoo or borrow one made by Djalu. Djalu’s instructional CDs and authentic Djalu yidaki available for sale
16th November - Public event
What: Rripangu Yirdaki - traditional songs and dances of the Galpu clan with Djalu Gurruwiwi and family.
Where: Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote 3070, Victoria. When: 9.45pm-11.15pm (doors open 9.30pm).
Cost: $25 + booking fee.
Bookings: box office phone (03) 9486 1677 or tickets at door.
One of Melbourne’s leading live music venues. Meals including vegetarian available 6.00pm-9-30pm in dining room and front bar. Djalu’s instructional CDs available for sale.
19th-20th November - Public event
What: Mungabareena Ngan Girra Festival
Where: Mungabareena Reserve, Mungabareena Highway, Albury, NSW 2640. When: 12.30 pm opening on Saturday. Cost: gold coin donation.
Inquiries: Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Corporation (02) 6043 0131, Lisa 0429 996 020 (mobile), James 0428 376255 (mobile)
Heaps of activities, workshops, stalls, food, competitions and music! A family-oriented festival not to be missed, located on a significant Aboriginal site traditionally used as a place for trade and ceremonies. The Bogong Moth provided sustenance for the many groups that gathered here. Rripangu Yirdaki will be offering workshops in didgeridoo playing and making, as well as performing traditional dance and song. Djalu’s instructional CDs and authentic Djalu yidaki available for sale.
20th November - Public event
What: Warming Up to the Games - pre-Commonwealth Games community event
Where: Rowville Community Centre, 20 Fulham Road, Rowville, Victoria 3178. When: all day; Rripangu Yirdaki will be performing from 2.30pm-3.00pm. Free event.
Inquiries: Bruce Drummond (03) 9298 8000
A program of special events and celebrations for the Knox Community to help celebrate the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. All day public event for the family with bike rides, walks, sporting demonstrations, Maori dance, and Australian Aboriginal dance by Rripangu Yirdaki.
22nd November - Public event
What: Masterclass yidaki workshop - tbc
Where: Ferntree Gully Community Art Centre, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully. When: 2pm-5pm or 7.30pm-10.30pm
Cost: $80
Bookings: Malcolm Russell (03) 9298 8179
Students may bring their own didgeridoo or borrow one made by Djalu. Djalu’s instructional CDs and authentic Djalu yidaki available for sale.
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