Bugarigarra is an aboriginal Australian group formed by Jowandi, Janawang and Garimba.
Jowandi is a Metis Didjeridu player, singer and percussionist from the North West of Australia. His people are the Yawuru and Djarbirr Djarbirr people from the coastal region of the Western Kimberly. he composes a lot of the material for the group, producing the main songs and playing most of the instruments to present a modern version of the musical styles of the traditional music from his region of Australia.
His songs tell of the story of his traditions and cultural beliefs. From the creation times to the arrival of the European in 1860s to the Kimberley region of the Australian continent, to the assimilation of the indigenous people into western society and the Christianization of the Aboriginal
population.
Janawang is a Gooniyindi singer and dancer from the river lands of the Central Kimberley. A tall powerful dancer he portrays through his movements the ancient visual interpretations of the stories told through the songs. His soft voice speaks with authority of his country and the feeling he has for his people and culture.
Garimba is a Yawuru dancer with an intense presence and precision in his interpretation of the songs presented in this production. His fluidity and seemingly effortless movements marries and contrasts excellently with the dancing of Janawang as together they bring to visualization the music created by Jowandi.
Through the drone and barks of the Didjeridu the audience is taken on a journey to indigenous Australia. The singing and beat of the boomerangs articulates the emotions felt by these storytellers and evokes a sense of truths being told.
During the performance between the songs Jowandi explains the story and history that occurred from his people perspective. He paints a picture of a proud unique race of people with the oldest living culture in the world spanning back some 60,000 years.
The group describes the life and beliefs of the indigenous people before the arrival of the English who in 1788 erected their flag at Botany Bay onthe south east coast of Australia claiming it for their King and country.
Continuing on with descriptions of the occupation and the process of firstly extermination, then segregation of the indigenous people Jowandi explains the process of removing mixed race children from their families a process known later as the Stolen Generation.
Jowandi states that while indigenous people are faced with the seductive attractions of western lifestyle there are many continuing with the traditions, the songs, ceremonies and rituals and have found a balance for themselves between the two worlds.
They finish with the song that tells of all people respecting each other and through that respect traditional cultures can be supported and hopefully survive into the next millennium.
Jowandi says in closing: “Culture is never static, it lives and breaths in the descendants of the original inhabitants and only when the last song is sung, the last dance performed, the last word spoken and when no-one raises their hand to identify themselves as indigenous – And only then -will we surely be forgotten.”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
