Discipline - 2009, 2018
2009 Milpirri - Jurntu
Discipline - Boys Dance
Description of Dance
The dance class offers an opportunity for the students to develop discipline. The training leads to becoming better dancers. In a group setting, each dancer has to take the lead as well as hand over to others.
Choreography
Nick (Japanangka) Power with Caleb Japanangka Patrick
2009 Milpirri - Jurntu
Discipline - Girls Dance
Description of Dance
The necessary discipline that is needed to work together as one team requires concentration and practice. Here the girls are able to dance their routines and feel proud of each other.
Choreography
Jess (Napangardi) Devereux
2009 Milpirri - Jurntu
Artefact Dance: Junma or Wulampi (Stone Knife or Grinding Stone)
Description of Dance
Traditionally the stone knife is used to makes scars on the body to denote discipline has been restored through the giving of punishment. When the community members all act in a disciplined way, things run smoothly and there is no need for punishments. This dance displays smooth operations.
Choreography
Nick (Japananka) Power, Jenelle (Nakamarra) Saunders, Jess (Napangardi) Devereux and Caleb Japanangka Patrick
2018 Milpirri - Jurntu
Discipline Dance - We Are Listening
Description of Dance
This dance looks at the idea of discipline through different lenses - a Yapa lens, a Western lens, and through “ninjas” as a fun and simple metaphor. The choreography is very specific and detailed for such a young group of dancers, requiring a lot of discipline to learn and remember it. They practiced hard at perfecting challenging moves like handstands and tutting shapes to show their discipline.
The lyrics use both Warlpiri and English words, and the dance reflects their understanding of the two languages, which shows the hard work it takes to learn about and live in two different worlds. This dance celebrates the skill and strength that they developed through their discipline in learning the dance, and the freedom they gained in being able to perform and have so much fun on Milpirri night.
The green group enters for the last part of the dance. They dance in pairs, performing movements that require them to not only work together but to take care of each other. This reflects the role of the Parraja that holds the newborn baby and the special bond between a mother and child. The final image of the green group leading the younger dancers off stage shows how others can teach us discipline and show us the right path.
Choreography
Kelly (Napurrula) Beneforti
Some of the
Tracks Dance Team
Over many Milpirri's and many trips to Lajamanu, we have had many people join the Tracks team to choreograph Milpirri. Find out some of their thoughts about working in Lajamanu and what they have learnt from this experience.
