Datiwuy manikay & bunggul, Milingimbi, with Terrence Gaypalani, Wilson Manydjarri, Brendan Ganambarr

This is an impromptu performance at Milingimbi initiated by the "2 Musketeers" as I call them (they're rarely apart), brothers Terrence Gaypalani and Brendan Ganambarr.

Knowing I had a video camera with me and having seen many of the videos on the iDIDJ Australia YouTube channel, Terrence and Brendan went about organising this recording session, first calling on old man and legendary yidaki and bunggul expert Wilson Manydjarri Ganambarr.

Manydjarri, more commonly known as "Guluwu" by family these days, has taught some of the big names of the yidaki world in eastern Arnhem Land and is an acknowledged "professional". One of his sons is Ngongu Ganambarr, a young man with a strong work ethic and a growing reputation as a yidaki craftsman. Manydjarri has also taught 2 standout Dhalwangu yidaki experts, Datjirri Wunungmurra and Bruce Burrngupurrngu, who in turn have passed on their talents to the next generation of yidaki men such as the late David M. Mununggurr. See Fiona Magowan's book "Melodies of Mourning" for some anecdotes on Manydjarri and his prowess with the yidaki.

Though this clip is almost 10 minutes long, it is worthwhile watching to the very end, if only to see the changing colours of the day. Recording went for many hours, starting around midday and ending well into the night. As the sound of the singing and dancing drifted through the community, families gathered around the dance ground on this vast salt pan, the headlights from vehicles illuminating the spectacle unfolding before them.

Some people of note... Guluwu (singer) is the old man with a head of grey hair and black polo shirt. Gaypalani (yidaki player to start with, but changes to singing in the evening) is in his trademark blue and white singlet and matching blue and white baseball cap. Brendan (singer) is in the blue-grey Adidas t-shirt. Darren, Mirarra's younger brother, is one of the dancers with no shirt on during the day, but dons a striped polo shirt in the evening. Ganiny Garawirrtja, Gaypalani's own waku'mirringu (nephew) plays the yidaki in the evening and is one hell of a gun player. Guluwu's little son, only a few years old, danced his heart out and displayed knowledge of song material and dance moves way beyond his years!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• datiwuy
• ngaymil
• ganambarr
• rorruwuy
• milingimbi
• yurrwi
• crocodile
• islands
• terrence
• gaypalani
• wilson
• manydjarri
• brendan
• manikay
• bunggul
• yidaki
• yirdaki
• didgeridoo
• didjeridu
• yolngu
• arnhemland
• arnhem
• land
• aboriginal
• music
• corroboree
• northern
• territory

[soukous70]

A bit of video footage worthy of the ages,this is a remarkabe event that is captured. Thanks to you and 'Guluwu' and his family and friends. Special thanks to that remarkable Ganiny Garawirrtja,truly,what a legend in the making!!!

[ididjaustralia]

thank you!

[Nidiurd]

awesome, thx 4 sharing

[Fran6ahaw]

Awesome :-)))

I love that little kid dancing like a real "pro" !

[bshwalker]

Man! That clip really was immersive!

It makes me so happy to see parts of this culture still in existance.

I was feeling pretty down about the last member of the Bo in India, passing away today, but this really cheered me up. Especially Guluwu's little son!!

[trante3]

I love how Guluwu's little son evidently knows the moves quite well and is pretty good at it too O.O

[AlexRawlings]

awesome, would have loved to have been there

[VidsOfMike]

excellent =)