The strength and hopes of the elders and youth of Lajamanu come together in a powerful performance.

MILPIRRI draws together the oldest and the most recent of Warlpiri Culture in a promise of growth and rejuvenation. (Milpirrirli kanganpa jirrama-jangka jinta-kurra yirrarni, nyurruwiyi-warnu manu jalangu jarra yapa-kurlangu jukurrpa yungurlipa mardarni manu kanyi kamparru tarnngangku.)

PHOTO: Tim Newth

In the desert, when the hot and cold air merges, a Milpirri storm cloud forms, creating rain. The Milpirri is something we move towards with hope and anticipation of growth, and new life. (Marnangkarrarla kaji-pala warlungku manu warlykangku warlpangku jinta-jarrimi Milpirrirlilki kapala yirrarnilki ngapa wiriki nganti kajilipa-nyanyi Milpirri yanirlipa nyanungu-kurra pinagku yungurlipa marda rarralypa miyarluju nyina.)

Speak to the land and the land will speak back. (Wangkayarla nguruku, kapungku pina wangkami.)

View the promo CLICK HERE (Quicktime Movie 3.4MB)
photos : dvd

PLEASE NOTE: DVDs of this production are available for educational and research purposes only.

Since 1988 artists of Tracks and artists and community members of the remote Aboriginal community of Lajamanu (950 km from Darwin) have been working together to create extraordinary performance events. Together they travelled dreaming paths into some of Australia’s remotest land, and have toured to local and national festivals. It has been a long-term two-way cultural sharing in which deep relationships have been built and respect and understanding gained.

The one night performance of MILPIRRI on November 12th had approximately 200 performers – from primary school children, young men and women, to the men and women Elders. It contained 16 sections, (8 traditional, 7 contemporary, and one fusion piece that brought the contemporary and traditional together), culminating in a new representation of the core of the Jarda-Warnpa ceremony (representing atonement and reconciliation, a place for the entire community to move forward from).

Concept

Steve Jampijinpa Patrick

Directors

Tim Newth, David McMicken and Lajamanu Elders

Producers

Tracks Inc and Lajamanu CEC

Traditional Informants

Jerry Jangala Patrick
Teddy Jupurrurla Morrison
Myra Nungarrayi Herbert
Gladys Napangardi Kelly

Youth Choreographers

Nick Power and Jessica Rosewarne

Assistants to Steve Patrick

Tristan Japanangka Tasman, Maxwell Japanangka Tasman, Donavan Japanangka Paddy, Rene Napangardi Dixon and Lynette Napangardi Tasman

Concept Assistant

(Lance) Alan Box

Space Preparation

Lajamanu Council and CDEP workers

Banner Design Owners

Joe Japanangka James, Jerry Jangala Patrick, Teddy Jupurrurla Morrison, Myra Nungarrayi Herbert, Gladys Napangardi Kelly, Tim Jupurrurla Kennedy, Peter Japanangka Dixon, Lindsay Jungarrayi Herbert, Leslie Jampijinpa Robertson, Norman Jampijinpa Kelly, Dick Japaljarri Raymond, Jacko Jakamarra Gordon and Thomas Jangala Sampson.

Soundtrack Production

Matthew Cunliffe

Desert People – Jarda-warnpa Mix

North Tanami Band with Lajamanu Elders

Musical Assistance (Lajamanu)

Maria Maher

Lighting / Technical Director

Matthew James

Graphic Design

Mark Marcelis

Stills Photographer

Rob Carter

Camera Man

Ian Redfearn

Editor

Kate Riedel

Project Management Assistance

Sue Mornane , Suzanne Fermanis (Tracks Inc) Frank Atkinson, Louise Carey and staff (Lajamanu Community Education Centre) and Lajamanu Traditional Custodians

Jangala Jampijinpa Nangala Nampijinpa (Blue Group)
Senior Men:
Jerry Jangala Patrick
Toby Jangala Martin
Thomas Jangala Sampson
Peter Jangala Raymond
Norbert Jampijinpa Patrick
Senior/Traditional Women:
Liddy Nampijinpa Miller
Patsy Nangala Herbert
Angeline Nampijinpa
Nita Nampijinpa Patrick
Raylene Nangala Jigili
Traditional Men:
Liam Jangala Patrick
Tony Jampijinpa Sampson
Scotty Jangala Patrick
Edmond Jangala Kelly
Dion Jangala Anderson
Tarrpa Jangala Patrick
Francis Jampijinpa Patrick
Francis Jangala Lovegrove
Matthew Jangala Walker
Alistair Jampijinpa Jigili
Steven Jangala Robertson
Male Youth:
Virgil Jampijinpa Robertson
Michael Jampijinpa Box
Jameson Jampijinpa Box
Aiden Jampijinpa Kelly
Clinton Jampijinpa Kelly
Sean Jangala Patrick
Todd Jampijinpa Hector
Kealyn Jampijinpa Kelly
Michalis Jangala Sampson
Desmond Jampijinpa Robertson
Female Youth:
Jessica Nangala Patrick
Janice Nangala Burns
Felicity Nangala Robertson
Marsha Nampijinpa Robertson
Levina Nangala Sampson
Simaira Nampijinpa Kelly
Joyce Nampijinpa Hargraves
Eva Nangala Ross
Latoya Nampijinpa Hector
Revona Nampijinpa Cooke
Trixie Nangala Patrick
Rachache Nampijinpa Jigili

Japangardi Japanangka Napangardi Napanangka (Green Group)
Senior Men:
Alec Japangardi Tasman
Joe Japanangka James
Peter Japanangka Dixon
Senior/Traditional Women:
Maisie Napangardi
Gladys Napangardi Kelly
Emma Napanangka Morrison
Rene Napangardi Dixon
Gloria Napangardi Dixon
Lynette Napangardi Tasman
Selma Napanangka Tasman
Denise Napangardi Tasman
Madelaine Napangardi Dixon
Traditional Men:
Tristan Japanangka Tasman
Maxwell Japanangka Tasman
Dillon Japanangka Gordon
Max Japanangka Gordon
Nathaniel Japangardi Miller
Warrick Japangardi Miller
Anton Japangardi James
Donovan Japanangka Paddy
Anthony Navo Japangardi Rex
Dylan Japangardi Miller
Male Youth:
Callum Japanangka Scobie
Caleb Japanangka Patrick
Gerald Japanangka Robbo
Gerard Japanangka Scobie
Mohammed Japangardi Langdon
Nicky Japanangka James
Female Youth:
Deandra Napanangka Burns
Sophia Napanangka Paulson
Ainsley Napanangka Moketarinja
Katelyn Napanangka Moketarinja
Janita Napangardi Gordon
Shekirra Napangardi Robertson
Margaret Napangardi Johnson
Macala Napangardi Donnelly
Remeika Napangardi Patterson

Japaljarri Jungarrayi Napaljarri Nungarrayi (Yellow Group)
Senior Men:
Dick Japaljarri Raymond
Lindsay Jungarrayi Herbert
Roger Japaljarri Jurrah
Senior/Traditional Women:
Alice Napaljarri Kelly
Judy Napaljarri Walker
Lily Nungarrayi
Margaret Nungarrayi Martin
Biddy Nungarrayi
Myra Nungarrayi Herbert
Traditional Men:
Mike Jungarrayi Doolan
Bevan Wiji Jungarrayi Rose
Mitchell Jungarrayi Rose
Breadon Jungarrayi Payton
Rohan Jungarrayi George
Winston Japaljarri Gibson
Isaiah Jungarrayi Lewis
Breadon Jungarrayi Hogan
Male Youth:
Rohan Jungarrayi George
Tyson Jungarrayi Rose
Jonas Jungarrayi George
Gareth Jungarrayi Rose
Rhys Japaljarri Gibson
Nathan Jungarrayi Timms
Ananias Japaljarri Tasman Gibson
Corey Jungarrayi Raymond
Female Youth:
Alarna Nungarrayi Gordon
Anna Napaljarri Nelson
Erlinda Nungarrayi McDonald
Shantelle Napaljarri Nelson
Tiana Nungarrayi Simon
Samara Nungarrayi Rennie
Tara Napaljarri Barnes
Rekkeisha Nungarrayi Rose
Michelle Nungarrayi Timms
Renata Nungarrayi Gordon
Rayneisha Napaljarri Rose

Jupurrurla Jakamarra Napurrurla Nakamarra (Red Group)
Senior Men:
Teddy Jupurrurla Morrison
Tim Jupurrurla Kennedy
Henry Jakamarra Cooke
Victor Jupurrurla Simon
Senior/Traditional Women:
Molly Napurrurla Tasman
Liddy Nakamarra Nelson
Beryl Nakamarra Herbert
Rosie Napurrurla Tasman
Stella Nakamarra Dixon
Cheryl Nakamarra Dixon
Jenny Nakamarra Timms
Noressa Napurrurla White
Mavis Nakamarra Lewis
Laura Nakamarra Doolan
Traditional Men:
Bobby Jakamarra Kennedy
Titus Jupurrurla White
Sebastian Jakamarra Simon
Bohas Jupurrurla white
Shane Jupurrurla White
Jeff Jakamarra Simon
Anton Jakamarra Simon
Gregory Jakamarra Simon
Quincey Jakamarra Samuels
Adam Jupurrurla Cooke
Male Youth:
Dermott Jupurrurla Cooke
Jake Jakamarra Patterson
Patrick Jakamarra Paterson
Dion Jakamarra Patterson
Yami Jakamarra Simon
Zac Jakamarra Patterson
Benjamin Jakamarra Patterson
Jared Jakamarra Ross
Keiran Jupurrurla Dixon
Jaswyn jupurrurla Dixon
Mike Jupurrurla Patterson
Female Youth:
Azaria Nakamarra Ross
Sybella Napurrurla Sampson
Connie Napurrurla Dixon
Antasia Nakamarra Simons
Tara Nakamarra Patterson
Kirsty–Anne Napurrurla Simon
Megan Nakamarra Patterson
Leonara Nakamarra White
Leilani Napurrurla Walker

Prologue: Milpirri - “Invitation to join in”
(Jampijinpa, Jangala / Nampijinpa, Nangala custodians – Blue)

In the desert it is the coming together of the cool and the warm air that Milpirri, the rainstorm cloud, is formed. A key to our future and our survival, Milpirri is the promise of better things to come; the rain, new growth and nourishment of our culture. The lightning dance is an important feature of the MILPIRRI concept.

Act 1: ‘Pilapakarnu’ Waterbirds Dance - “Celebration”
(Jampijinpa, Jangala / Nampijinpa, Nangala custodians – Blue)

With the coming of the rain, floodplains provide a feast of colour, activity and celebration.
Traditional men’s purlapa
Traditional women’s yawulyu
Young women’s story interpretation
Young men’s story interpretation

Act 2: ‘Warlawurru’ Wedge-tail eagle Dance - “Protection”
(Jungarrayi, Nungarrayi / Japaljarri, Napaljarri custodians – Yellow)

The wedge-tail eagle protects his country, inspiring the Warlpiri nation, our families and our community, to learn how to care for everything that is precious to us.
Traditional men’s purlapa
Traditional women’s yawulyu
Young women’s story interpretation
Young men’s story interpretation

Act 3: ‘Wardapi’ Goanna Dance - “Guidance”
(Japanangka, Japangardi / Napanangka, Napangardi custodians – Green)

At the time of a young man’s initiation ceremony, mothers exhort their son to be guided along the straight track - following in the footsteps of those proven to be wise, and not distracted and deceived by goanna holes, which seem to promise good tucker, but actually may hide great danger.
Traditional men’s purlapa
Traditional women’s yawulyu
Young women’s story interpretation
Young men’s story interpretation

Act 4: ‘Wampana’ Wallaby Dance - “Unity”
(Jupurrurla, Jakamarra / Napurrurla, Nakamarra custodians – Red)

The journey of a wallaby joins paths with that of an emu. Because the two travel together in unity, with a common direction, their travelling is blessed with rain that provides all their needs in abundance.
Traditional men’s purlapa
Traditional women’s yawulyu
Young women’s story interpretation

Finalé: Jarda-warnpa Dance & Ceremony: “Atonement and Reconciliation”

The preceding song cycles culminate in a selection of parts of the Jarda-warnpa atonement and reconciliation ceremony. This ceremony enables the four major groupings of the Warlpiri skin system to settle disputes and work out differences. It is often called the “Fire Ceremony”. This ceremony has been revitalised and updated after nearly 30 years of being absent from community life. The ceremony allows the community to start afresh, with strength and hope and a renewed commitment to the traditional Warlpiri values that are embedded in the song cycles that have been performed this evening.

Song: ‘Desert People’, a fusion of songs sung by the North Tanami Band and Elders of the Lajamanu Community, and performed by the Lajamanu Community.

Atonement and Reconciliation Ceremony performed by the four main skin group leaders