Remote festival brings mothers' dreaming to edge of Tanami Desert
As festivals go, it could hardly be more remote. The Milpirri Festival brings at least two hundred and fifty performers to the edge of the Tanami Desert 950 kilometres south west of Darwin. Lajamanu, although Warlpiri, is on the traditional country of the Gurindji people and Milpirri refer to the name of the rain-bearing storm cloud that forms when the hot and cold air merge over the desert, bringing with it hope and anticipation of growth and new life.
This festival is not designed to attract tourists. Not yet anyway. It takes place in the small community of Lajamanu which has no facilities for tourists. Rather, it is a community celebration - a coming together of the people who occupy the surrounding lands. Skye Raabe, from Darwin-based Tracks Dance, which works with local artists to produce the festival, says it brings together young people, elders and all ages in between. By rehearsing and performing together, the cultural learning of the elders is passed on to younger members of the community. "Through Tracks Dance, we spend time in the community working with locals to conduct workshops and give support to the festival. Members of the community also come to Darwin for further training," says Ms Raabe.
The relationship between Tracks Dance and Lajamanu began in 1988 and has been 'a long-term cultural sharing in which deep relationships have been built and respect and understanding gained," says Tracks Dance. Performers have toured to local and national arts festivals.
This year, the Milpirri Festival is based on Kurdiji, the mother's dreaming and tells how women prepare their sons for initiation and then hand them over to the men, who then teach them about their responsibility to their families, their clan and the land.
www.tracksdance.com.au or call 08 8924 4414
