Purami (Guidance) - 2005, 2014
2005 Milpirri - Jardiwanpa
Purami (Guidance)
Description of Dance
This dance draws on themes from the Wardapi (Goanna) jukurrpa (Dreaming). At the time of initiation, the mothers exhort their son to be guided along a straight track. They are not to be distracted or deceived by goanna holes, which might promise good tucker, but may actually hide a greater danger. The Wardipi (Goanna) Jukurrpa is about following the right pathway (Purami). Older brothers lead the way for younger brothers. We used ideas for the females of hunting, tracking, testing dirt to see how old the tracks were, (some of the moves were reminiscent of the goanna hunting dance from the 1999 Lajamanu residency), finding goannas in their holes, and killing them.
The males start as Goanna men, circling the female hunters. They do a series of duets, based on the idea of following your older brother who shows you the right way, finishing up as a group goanna looking both ways.
Choreography
David (Japaljarri) McMicken, Jessica (Nangala) Rosewarne, and Nick (Japanangka) Power
2014 Milpirri - Jardiwanpa
Purami (Guidance)
Description of Dance
This dance draws on themes from the Wardapi (Goanna) jukurrpa (Dreaming). The dance starts with the females dancing with sticks, reminiscent of the adult dances where the sticks are used to hunt goannas and hit them. As they part to each side the "brothers" come into the picture. The older brother teaches the younger brother. It is the duty of the older brother to make sure he teaches correctly as the younger brother needs to follow in his footsteps.
Choreography
Kelly (Napurrula) Beneforti (girls) and Nick (Japanangka) Power (boys), assisted by Caleb Japanangka Patrick
Men's Wardapi Dance
The dances performed by the youth explore themes that are drawn from the same ceremonial concepts that are seen in the adult dances.
Women's Wardapi Dance
The dances performed by the youth explore themes that are drawn from the same ceremonial concepts that are seen in the adult dances.
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