Whitefella Blackfella - George Burarrwanga & Birdwave

This one always gets the crowd going. Tis an anthem for Reconciliation for those who don't know it.

George Burarrwanga has been at the helm of Australian Indigenous rock for longer than anyone can remember. With the legendary Warumpi band, he was to first - I think - to record a rock song entirely in an Aboriginal language.

This clip was recorded at the Yaluk Wilam Festival in St Kilda, February 3rd 2007.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• george
• rrurrambu
• warumpi
• band
• whitefella
• blackfella
• st
• kilda
• music
• festival
• yaluk
• wilam
• reconciliation
• aboriginal

[kantoklui]

When did he pass? That's so sad, i hadn't heard..

[ididjaustralia]

2007.

[tongarigine]

What a classic, please keep em comin.

[ididjaustralia]

Thanks buddy, keep watching!

[flyangler18]

Yep, George was the first:

they released the single Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out of Jail), the first rock song ever released in an Australian Aboriginal language.

[ididjaustralia]

Yup, you're right there Sir! I recorded this too at Yaluk Wilam festival. George is not unique in being able to speak Yolngu Matha as well as a Central Australian language, though it might seem unusual for a Top Ender. There are some other blokes who can speak Aranda, Walbiri, Pitjantjatjara... Walbiri especially as there are marriage links there with Yuendumu.

[Tom5578]

RIP George, Australia's Mick Jagger. Aged 50, 2007.

[SeeSeeRider77]

God bless you George!

[llandod77]

@BourneArgonaut bone cancer got him, real shame, he was a good fella

[llandod77]

mate i love this guy, been in usa for 3 years, home sick and wanna come home, listening to this makes it worse, but makes me smile and think of australia, when i get home im goin outback wa and nt, might give sydney a miss

[llandod77]

mate i love this guy, been in usa for 3 years, home sick wanna come, and when i do im goin outback

[monptitbison]

JE T AIME GEORGES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheUnDeRGRouNDHoBo]

major dude for sure them threads are awesome

[dxfreight]

Thanks for posting this great song.

[joyartdesign]

a true fella

x

[BourneArgonaut]

OMFG! George Burarrwanga is deceased?! Bless his heart! I hadn't heard that! 'Course I'm way up-&-over here in Texas, and, even with, now, thank goodness, the internet & YouTube, etc., we Americans--those of us who have a deep fondness for all things Aussie-- oftentimes can't keep up with all the goings-on Down Under! So, he died in '07? Wow, same yr my own father passed away. Bummer. What was the cause of his death?! In this vid he still looked pretty hale-&-hearty!