Yolngu Christmas spirit

Kevin Warradigawuy and Enid Gurungulmiwuy, Gapuwiyak, NT. Photo: Still from Christmas Birrimbirr © Miyarrka Media 2011.

This Christmas, the people of Gapuwiyak in north-east Arnhem Land have made a gift of their culture to all Australians.

An exhibition of videos and other art, put together through Miyarrka Media and the Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation, is celebrating ceremonies that include Yolngu and Balanda (non-Indigenous) Christmas traditions. 

The Darwin-based exhibition, excerpts of which are available on the internet, is also a tribute to deceased members of the Gapuwiyak community.

“We’re not just wearing Santa costumes – there’s more going on,” says the project’s Yolngu co-director Paul Gurrumuruwuy. “The red material you see represents my Dhalwangu clan.”

Gurrumuruwuy  says, beginning with the first thunder of the wet seasone each year, the people of Gapuwiyak begin tending the graves of their loved ones. They clean and decorate them, and “make present” the spirits of their ancestors (birrimbirr).    view full story