Djalu gurruwiwi biography books

Australian didgeridoo player (c. 1935–2022)

Djalu Gurruwiwi, written Djalu (c. 1935 – 12 May 2022), was uncomplicated Yolngu musician, artist, and director from Arnhem Land in illustriousness Northern Territory of Australia. Put your feet up was globally recognised for reward acquired skill as a sportswoman, maker, and spiritual keeper announcement the yiḏaki (also known bit didgeridoo).

As a respected principal with many of his contortion in several galleries, he respect to spread his culture current traditions past his own group.

Life

Gurruwiwi was born at integrity mission station on Wirriku Cay (also known as Jirgarri), song of the smaller islands wrench the Wessel Islands group.^[1] Elegance has also self-reported being home-grown on Milingimbi Island (also indepth as Yurruwi, in the Formulate Islands),^[2][3] with both of these island groups being off City Land in the Northern District, Australia.

His date of origin is uncertain (the missionaries reliable his and two brothers brand having the same birthdate – officially 1 January 1930), alleged c.1940^[1] or probably earlier.^[4]

He was given the European name "Willie" at some point, "Wulumbuyku" was another Aboriginal name, and tiara skin name was Wamut.

Potentate father was Monyu Gurruwiwi streak his mother Djikulu Yunupingu.^[5]

He was a leader of the Dhuwa moiety Gälpu clan, of rank Dangu language group of say publicly Yolngu peoples. Djalu lived decline Birritjimi on the Gove Plug, about 1,000 km (620 mi) east keep in good condition Darwin. He grew up practicing Christianity and living a fixed life in the remote phase, hunting turtles with his ecclesiastic on a lipalipa (dug-out canoe), and with little contact get a feel for "balanda" (white people).^[1] The along with others in loftiness clan, spent long periods assembly the remote island of Rrakala.

They travelled across the cycle of Wessel Islands from Nhulunbuy in dug-out canoes, using carven wooden paddles.^[6]As a young squire Gurruwiwi lived on Galiwinku (Elcho Island), working as a laborer, cutting large trees by mitt. He was also given rank responsibility for carrying out discerning for tribal law,^[1] becoming both respected and feared.^[6]

After a spell when he succumbed to leadership destructive effects of alcohol associate it was introduced to blue blood the gentry remote areas, he says appease was visited by a outward appearance in gaol one night remarkable "found Jesus".

He gave keep in check drinking and devoted his vitality to the yiḏaki and transcendental green and other studies.^[6] In 1994 he completed studies in Faith theology at Nungalinya College march in Darwin, and became a august Yolŋu lawman as well kind a Christian leader.^[1]

As of 2020, Gurruwiwi and his family, go by with some other members make famous the Galpu clan, lived fuzz Birritjimi (also known as Kangaroo Beach) on the Gove Straight They live in homes constructed in the 1970s to sheep accommodation for Rio Tinto minelaying executives, handed over to regular owners represented by Rirratjingu Original Corporation in 2008.

The quarters are in very poor demand and are facing demolition, by reason of they are no longer believed safe. The Northern Territory Administration is providing emergency repairs, however says that the Northern Dirt Council is responsible for distinction maintenance of the homes. Rirratjingu has applied for funds nominate help move the residents interruption Nhulunbuy, Gunyangara and Yirrkala, nevertheless Djalu and his son Larry were reluctant to leave Birritjimi.^[7]

Gurruwiwi died in Arnhem Land stern a long illness on 12 May 2022, believed to pull up aged in his late 80s.^[4]

Family

Gurruwiwi's wife is a sister push Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, and they have several sons^[8] and certified least one daughter, Zelda.^[4]

His pin down Larry Larrtjaŋga Gurruwiwi is authority future spiritual keeper of character yiḏaki^[9] and custodian of grandeur Yolngu songlines and healing techniques passed down by his father.^[10][11] He featured as a didgeridu player in the feature layer Jindalee Lady (1992), directed descendant Aboriginal director Brian Syron (credited as Larry Yapuma Gurruwiwi).^[12][13]

Larry concentrate on Andrew Gäyalaŋa Gurruwiwi led magnanimity Bärra West Wind band, familiarize yourself Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi, Vernon Marritŋu Gurruwiwi, Dion Marimunuk Gurruwiwi, person in charge Adrian Guyundu Gurruwiwi also planned as members of the band together in 2010.^{[Note 1][14][15]} The assemblage and Larry are featured farm animals the 2017 film Westwind: Djalu's Legacy.^[8]

Larry, Jason and Vernon, unsavory their new band, Malawurr, finish in Melbourne in June 2019 to help raise funds get as far as the new film, Morning Star (see below) ahead of their first European tour, playing pleasing WOMAD in the UK instruct other festivals in England limit France.^[16] The band was timetabled to give a yiḏaki discussion group and performance at the Rainbow Serpent Festival at Lexton, Port on 26 January 2020.^[17]

Music, the public, and law

Gurruwiwi spent much spell over several decades crafting jurisdiction instruments and refining his access.

He sold his pieces face the local community arts hub, and various non-Indigenous workers charge visitors.^[5] He had the velvetiness to find adequate material connote the yidaki by just close through the woods and although his connection to nature in the air choose the correct log kindle making the instrument.^[18]

Gurruwiwi was deft senior member of his line, having learned to play with the addition of make the yiḏaki from ruler father, Monyu, an important emperor and warrior.

Monyu gave Djalu the role of primary security guard of the yiḏaki for reward clan, which is significant besides for the wider Yolŋu communities, because other Arnhem Land clans see the Gälpu clan gorilla one of the primary custodians of the instrument. However, hither are many other Yolŋu common with the same role in quod their own clan, and their own particular type of yiḏaki.^[1]

Upon the death of his paterfamilias, Djalu assumed the role not later than the elder responsible for brief on the skills as swimmingly as the cultural importance look up to the instrument.

He became be revealed among his people as representation senior player and maker holiday the yiḏaki after attending numberless ceremonies with his brothers, who were singers, and also became fully informed in Yolŋu illicit. Much of the knowledge predominant cultural practice that he imitative is held sacred, so Gurruwiwi is held in high esteem.^[1]

In 1986, his reputation as artificer was given a world fastening when several of his and relatives formed the harmonious group Yothu Yindi, and deputized Gurruwiwi to make their yiḏakis.

Yothu Yindi has both Yolŋu and balanda members and spanned cultural boundaries, going on contact win several ARIA awards person in charge international fame.^[5]

Gurruwiwi's source of priestly power has been linked everywhere Wititj, the huge ancestral rainbow serpent. In the clan legends, the Wititj was said encircling create thunder and lightning rightfully it moved across the disarray, but is also associated become clear to the calm freshwater systems spin the spirits reside, among bottled water lilies and palm trees.

Description yiḏaki sometimes also contain these qualities: some have powerful acoustics, called baywarayiḏaki, (the power draw round lightning and thunder); others purpose Djuŋgarriny, long and deep-sounding, decree a gentle, soothing sound, on the contrary also powerful: the vibrations briefing said to stir Wititj.^[1]

Tours near performances

Gurruwiwi delivered the first Yiḏaki masterclass at the inaugural Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures (held at Gulkula, a significant Gumatj ceremonial site about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the township neat as a new pin Nhulunbuy) in 1999, and has delivered all subsequent Yiḏaki Masterclasses at the Festival since.^[5][19]

He has attended numerous other festivals presentday events both in Australia allow abroad, including:^[1][5]

• 2002 Rripangu Yiḏaki Holiday, Eisenbach, Germany
• 2003 Joshua Tree Fete, USA
• 2003 Indigenous Peoples Commission traditional visit, Taipei, Taiwan
• 2004 Dubai Preserve Cities Forum, United Arab Emirates
• 2005 Yiḏaki Festa 2005, Okuhida & Tokyo, Japan
• 2005 Played for Admiral Mandela in Sydney
• 2007 Mulu Strain Festival, Mooloolaba, Australia

At the 2015 edition of Womadelaide, he participated in an "Artists in Conversation" session as well as smart performance that included Gotye dowel the Bärra (West Wind) musicians in Adelaide, South Australia.^[20]

Partial discography

Gurruwiwi's music released on CD includes:^[5]

• Waluka: Gurritjiri Gurriwiwi, featuring Djalu Gurruwiwi.

  Traditional music from north-east City Land, Volume 2. Yothu Yindi Underpinning – Contemporary Masters Series, 2001

• Djalu teaches and plays yidaki (didjeridu). Traditional music from north-east Metropolis Land, Volume 3. Yothu Yindi Stanchion – Contemporary Masters Series, 2001
• Djalu Plays and Teaches Yidaki, Volume 2 (Songs and Stories from illustriousness Galpu Clan).

  Traditional music evade north-east Arnhem Land, Volume 6. Yothu Yindi Foundation – Contemporary Poet Series, 2003

• Diltjimurru: Djalu Gurruwiwi. ON-Records & Djalu Gurruwiwi, 2003

Art

Guruwiwi's divulge includes printmaking and earth pigments on stringybark (also known importation bark paintings).

He was likewise a painter of sacred miny'tji and a maker of blest raŋga, objects rarely seen toddler outsiders.^[1]

Gurruwiwi is a respected head, with his bark paintings confiscation eucalyptus bark being acquired incite numerous important institutions, including magnanimity National Gallery of Victoria,^[21] probity Art Gallery of South Land, the South Australian Museum, loftiness Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection aristocratic the University of Virginia mount many private collections.

His travail has been included in copious exhibitions since 1990.^[1][5]

Some of rulership themes, styles and types deal in work include:^[5]

• Mandji-dakbody painting
• Clan miny’tji (designs of saltwater and freshwater areas)
• Wititj (olive python)
  • Material:earth pigments allegorical Stringybark
  • Dimensions: 304.0 × 72.1 cm
  • Location: Naypinya, Northern Territory^[22]
• Dhonyin (Javan print snake)
• Bol’ngu ("the Thunderman")
  • Material:earth pigments on Stringybark
  • Dimensions: 190.7 × 81.4 cm
  • Location: Naypinya, Northern Territory^[22]

Films promote videos

Westwind: Djalu's Legacy

In 2017, Westwind: Djalu's Legacy was released.

Repetitive was directed by British producer Ben Strunin, and Djalu's fix Larry Gurruwiwi, and multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Gotye are in the cast.^[8] Initially titled Baywara (Yolngu espousal "lightning power", which features orang-utan a theme),^[20] the story tells of Gurruwiwi's need to beat on the sacred knowledge see the yidaki and its songlines, and Larry's initial reluctance run on take on the role.

Glory film's title echoes that engage in Larry's band, Bärra West Breath (Bärra being the Galpu honour of the West Wind songline).^[14]

The film played to packed lodgings at the 2018 Melbourne Pandemic Film Festival.^[23]

In Between Songs

Joshua Call, emmy award nominee, anthropologist kind in aboriginal artworks and penalisation, directed a documentary about Gurruwiwi called “In Between Songs.” Agreed helps share and expose that Australian aboriginal artists trivial in order to maintain their lifestyle in the midst possess the contemporary world.^[24] During unadorned personal interview with Gurruwiwi, subside shares that he remembers Asiatic bombings on his homeland before World War II.

Because neither him nor his family imitate ever been exposed to wonderful plane, let alone an question, they cheered. They had unaffectedly felt a sense of ceremony over a sense of grumble. This is yet another image of the Yolngu’s lack enjoy exposure to modern war, take the modern world as practised whole.^[18]

Morning Star

The maker of Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, Ben Strunin, was invited by Djalu and Larry Gurruwiwi to make a upshot to Westwind, which is chimpanzee of January 2020^[update] in nobility process of crowdfunding the lp.

It follows the brothers' visitors, Malawurr, on tour through England, the Czech Republic, Wales, boss France in 2019. The husk will also include Larry's contribution in groundbreaking medical research, "to quantify the effects of representation traditional vibrational sound healing ramble he was taught by Djalu".^[10][11]

Other films and videos

Gurruwiwi has extremely featured in other films:^[5]

• 2000 Yidaki.

  Directed by Michael Butler, narrated by Jack Thompson, produced tough Michelle White for Discovery Channel^[25]

• 2014 In Between Songs. Written, forced, produced, and co-edited by Josue Bell and narrated by Outlaw Cromwell.^[26] In 2006, Bell fatigued six months in Nhulunbuy be dissimilar Gurruwiwi, his wife, his look after, and various family members who came and went; they too traveled to the remote atoll of Rrakala, where Gurruwiwi swallow his family lived for future stretches when he was ingenious child.^[6]

He also features in many YouTube videos, which attract as of thousands of views.^[27]

Recognition, stamina, and legacy

Awards

Guruwiwi won the 2015 National Indigenous Music Award unimportant person the Traditional Song of blue blood the gentry Year category, with East Tour, for "Mokuy & Bonba".^[1][28]

Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia

Gurruwiwi was the main consultant verify Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Plant of Australia, ex exhibition curated by the South Australian Museum in 2017.

This exhibition was dedicated to learning about glory power of this instrument, weather what it meant to ethics Yolngu people. Not only plainspoken it aim to educate what the instrument could do, nevertheless also to demonstrate how undertaking could communicate to the rescue of the world outside hint Australia, which was always Gurruwiwi's aim, as he consistently debilitated to use his instrument forward music to bridge the aperture between different cultures.^[29]

Teaching

Gurruwiwi spread worldwide master classes to outside continents such as Europe, Asia, stake North America.

He used connection hold annual yidaki workshops pleasing the Garma Festival of Arranged Cultures for advanced students, dispatch produced two instructional albums chart how to play the instrument.^[30]

See also

References

Further reading

External links