NT mojos share new moves and old secrets

Chooky dancing, Galiwin’ku, NT.

Mobile journalists on assignment in remote Australia have found that popular culture and ancient traditions are all part of the mix in caring communities.

In Galiwin’ku, on Elcho Island in the Northern Territory, Sabrina Nayarri has produced a video about a youth program that helped develop the distinctive dancing style of the island’s famous Chooky Dancers.

“The dancing is fun, but it also keeps the young kids off our streets,” she says.

Nayarri and 10 other mobile journalists are part of the Australian Government funded Northern Territory Mobile Journalists Project (NT Mojo).

Also reporting from Galiwin’ku is Brendan Yunupingu, who has a strong attachment to Elcho’s near-pristine environment.

“My people have lived off the land for 40,000 years and the bush is our natural pharmacy,” he says.

Yunupingu’s video follows his sister, Aggie, as she shows him ingredients for bush remedies handed down to her from their parents.

Back on the mainland southwest of Elcho is Ramingining, on the edge of the heritage-listed Arafura Wetlands.

Here NT mojo Gerald Yawulkpuy takes us behind the scenes of his job as the “Ramo DJ”.

“I like this [DJ] job,” he says. “It’s like being a voice for our community.”

The elders of Ramingining are right behind the young people’s enthusiasm for broadcasting, video and the internet.

“Multimedia is a very, very important place, you know,” says elder Ronnie Barramala. “It’s where there’s lots of things you can find.”

For Ramingining’s second mojo, Sharon Gaykamangu, the dedication of staff at the local aged care centre captures the town’s community spirit.

“They come to this place and spend the day helping people,” she reports. “One of those people is my grandfather, Richard Birrinbirrin, the honey man. He loves coming to the aged care centre.”