Earlier this year I was lucky enough to be invited to document my dear friends, Djuki Mala, as they took their show to their remote home community, Gali’winku on Elcho Island, Arnhem Land – for the very first time.
It was a momentous occasion as the Djuki’s have toured the show all over the world over the last decade and not only was it the first time bringing the whole show back home, but it was also the last time they were going to perform it.
Another dear old friend Tom Flanagan was invited along to perform his amazing clown show Kaput, which went down a treat. Some of the OG Djuki boys jumped up for the signature Zorba dance – the reaction to which was one of the best live performance moments that I have experienced in many years. And Djuki Artist Wakara Gondarra and his partner Jaz brought their son Muwarra to the Island for the first time, just in time for his first Birthday!
It was a super special trip and to be honest, I feel very stilted writing this and finding it hard to put the experience into words, so I’ll let the video and photos tell the story.
I do want to say a huge congrats to my brother Josh Bond for steering the Djuki ship through the journey over the last 16 years.
It was a privilege and honour to have share that experience, to be welcomed with open arms by your family up there, and to see where a piece of your heart lives.
x Hamish
Trip credits:
Josh Bond, Djuki Mala Director and Executive Producer
Featured Djuki Dancers: Baykali Gunambarr, Wakara Gondarra, Watjarr Garmu, Tibian Wyles, Didi Yunupingu, Djapana Wunungmurra
Tom Flanagan – Kaput
Bec Coen & Alison Neville – tour/production legends.
Monique Harvey – Long time Djuki Mala Producer
Video & Stills by Carnival Cinema Aka me
Featured songs in the video:
- Song of Arnhem Land – Salas/Moore mix from East Journey Featuring Yothu Yindi
- Marryuna – Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal
- Dhaliwuy Bay – Yirrmal
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I acknowledge the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation, traditional custodians of the land on which I was born, I now live, work and raise my kids on and pay my respects to their elders past, present and future.
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