INDEX

 MUSIC

 Introduction
 Traditional Forms And

Instruments
o Bunggul

o Clan songs and song lines

o Death Wail

o Didgeridoo

o Kun-borrk

o Wangga

 DANCE

 Introduction
 Descendance Aboriginal
and Islander Dance Theatre
Company
 Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance
Theatre
 Wadumbah Dance Group
 MUSIC
INTRODUCTION
Indigenous Australian music includes the music of
Australian aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, who are
collectively called Indigenous Australians; it incorporates a
variety of distinctive traditional music styles practiced by
Indigenous Australian peoples, as well as a range of
contemporary musical styles of and fusion with European
traditions as interpreted and performed by indigenous
Australian artists. Music has formed an integral part of the
social, cultural and ceremonial observances of Australian
Aboriginal down through the millennia of their individual and
collective histories to the present day. The traditional forms
include many aspects of performance and musical
instrumentation which are unique to particular regions or
Indigenous Australian groups; there are equally elements of
musical tradition which are common or widespread through
much of the Australian continent, and even beyond.

In addition to these indigenous traditions and musical heritage,

ever since the 18th century European colonization of Australia
began indigenous Australian musicians and performers have
adopted and interpreted many of the imported Western
musical styles, often informed by and in combination with
traditional instruments and sensibilities. Similarly, non-
indigenous artists and performers have adapted, used and
sampled indigenous Australian styles and instruments in their
works. Contemporary musical styles such as rock and roll,
country, hip hop, and reggae have all featured a variety of
notable indigenous Australian performers.
The various Indigenous Australian communities developed
unique musical instruments and folk styles. The didgeridoo,
which is widely thought to be a stereotypical instrument of
Aboriginal people, was traditionally played by people of only
the eastern Kimberley region and Arnhem Land (such as the
Yolngu), and then by only the men. Clapping sticks are
probably the more ubiquitous musical instrument, especially
because they help maintain rhythm for songs.

Contemporary Australian aboriginal music is predominantly of

the country music genre. Most Indigenous radio stations –
particularly in metropolitan areas – serve a double purpose as
the local country-music station. More recently, Indigenous
Australian musicians have branched into rock and roll, hip hop
and reggae. One of the most well known modern bands is
Yothu Yindi playing in a style which has been called Aboriginal
rock.Amongst young Australian Aboriginal peoples, African-
American and Aboriginal hip hop music and clothing is popular.

TRADITIONAL FORMS AND

INSTRUMENTS

Bunggul
Bunggul is a style of music that came into being around the
Mann River and is known for its intense lyrics, which are often
stories of epic journeys and continue, or repeat,
unaccompanied after the music has stopped.

Clan songs and song lines

A particular clan in Aboriginal culture may share songs, known
as emeba (Groote Eylandt), fjatpangarri (Yirrkala), manikay
(Arnhem Land) or other native terms. Songs are about clan or
family history and are frequently updated to take into account
popular films and music, controversies and social relationships.

Song lines ("Yiri" in the Walpiri language) relate to Dreamtime,

with oral lore and storytelling manifested in an intricate series
of song cycles that identified landmarks and other items and
tracking (hunting) mechanisms for navigation. These songs
often described how the features of the land were created and
named during the Dreamtime. By singing the songs in the
appropriate order, indigenous Australians could navigate vast
distances often traveling through the deserts of Australia's
interior. They relate the holder or the keeper of the song (or
Dreamtime story) with an inherent obligation and reciprocity
with the land.

Death Wail
A mourning lament recorded in a number of locations in
central and northern Australia and among the Aborigines.

Didgeridoo
A didgeridoo is a type of musical instrument that, according to
western musicological classification, falls into the category of
aerophone. It is one of the oldest instruments to date. It
consists of a long tube, without finger holes, through which the
player blows. It is sometimes fitted with a mouthpiece of
beeswax. Didgeridoos are traditionally of eucalyptus, but are
also made of contemporary materials such as PVC piping. In
traditional situations it is played only by men, usually as an
accompaniment to ceremonial or recreational singing, or, much
more rarely, as a solo instrument. Skilled players use the
technique of circular breathing to achieve a continuous sound,
and also employ techniques for inducing multiple harmonic
resonances. Although traditionally the instrument was not
widespread around the country - it was only used by Aboriginal
groups in the most northerly areas - today it is commonly
considered the national instrument of the Australian Aborigines
and is world renowned as a unique and iconic instrument.

Kun-borrk
Kun-borrk came into being around the Adelaide, Mann and
Rose Rivers, distinguished by a didgeridoo introduction
followed by the percussion and vocals, which often conclude
words (in contrast to many other syllabic styles of Aboriginal
singing).

Wangga
Wangga came into being near the South Alligator River and is
distinguished by an extremely high note to commence the
song, accompanied by rhythmic percussion and followed by a
sudden shift to a low tone.

DANCE

INTRODUCTION
Traditional Indigenous Australian dance was closely associated
with song and was understood and experienced as making
present the reality of the Dreamtime. In some instances, they
would imitate the actions of a particular animal in the process
of telling a story. For the people in their own country it defined
to roles, responsibilities and the place itself. These ritual
performances gave them an understanding of themselves in
the interplay of social, geographical and environmental forces.
The performances were associated with specific places and
dance grounds were often sacred places. Body decoration and
specific gestures related to kin and other relationships (such as
to Dreamtime beings with which individuals and groups). For a
number of Indigenous Australian groups their dances were
secret and or sacred, gender could also be an important factor
in some ceremonies with men and women having separate
ceremonial traditions.

The term Corroboree is commonly used in general Australian

culture to refer to Australian Aboriginal dances, however this
term has its origins among the people of the Sydney region. In
a number of places Australian Aboriginal people will perform
"corroborees" for tourists.

In the latter part of the 20th century the influence of

Indigenous Australian dance traditions has been seen with the
development of concert dance, particularly in contemporary
dance with the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development
Association providing training to Indigenous Australians in
dance and the Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Descendance Aboriginal and

Islander Dance Theatre
Company
The Descendance preserve and
promote Indigenous culture, and
showcases Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander performers from
many diverse tribes.
Descendance does both traditional
and contemporary performance,
and has shows running nationally
and internationally all year round.
Descendance contemporary
Figure 1 Descendance perform during NAIDOC
section encourages cultural
exchanges and works closely with
other traditional art forms
including Flamenco, Indian, Asian,
Native American and African. Descendance was born from the
mighty Ngaru Aboriginal dance company which was Sydney’s
first independent traditional indigenous troupe.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance

Theatre
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park began in 1987 when a cross-
cultural group of entertainers created Australia’s first
Aboriginal dance theatre in the small village of Kuranda, near
Cairns. The Tjapukai Dance Theatre showcases the culture of
the rainforest people of Tropical North Queensland and their
shows are an Aboriginal cultural attraction that helps to assist
with reconciliation locally, nationally and internationally.

Wadumbah Dance Group

This Perth, Western Australia based group aims to keep the
spirit of Aboriginal culture alive, to enhance the pride of
Aboriginal people, to educate people from all walks of life and
to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal
people.