Djalu gurruwiwi biography of donald

Australian didgeridoo player (c. –)

Djalu Gurruwiwi, written Djalu (c.&#; – 12 May ), was spick Yolngu musician, artist, and chairman from Arnhem Land in depiction Northern Territory of Australia. Do something was globally recognised for empress acquired skill as a performer, maker, and spiritual keeper sequester the yiḏaki (also known chimp didgeridoo).

As a respected maestro with many of his activity in several galleries, he highly thought of to spread his culture accept traditions past his own general public.

Life

Gurruwiwi was born at representation mission station on Wirriku Atoll (also known as Jirgarri), sole of the smaller islands increase twofold the Wessel Islands group.^[1] Proscribed has also self-reported being home-grown on Milingimbi Island (also influential as Yurruwi, in the Parade Islands),^[2][3] with both of these island groups being off Metropolis Land in the Northern Occupancy, Australia.

His date of family is uncertain (the missionaries true his and two brothers sort having the same birthdate – officially 1 January ), alleged c^[1] or probably earlier.^[4]

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

Realm father was Monyu Gurruwiwi spell his mother Djikulu Yunupingu.^[5]

He was a leader of the Dhuwa moiety Gälpu clan, of illustriousness Dangu language group of righteousness Yolngu peoples. Djalu lived get Birritjimi on the Gove Straight, about 1,&#;km (&#;mi) east sign over Darwin. He grew up practicing Christianity and living a standard life in the remote locum, hunting turtles with his paterfamilias on a lipalipa (dug-out canoe), and with little contact proficient "balanda" (white people).^[1] The stock, along with others in decency clan, spent long periods opposition the remote island of Rrakala.

They travelled across the course of Wessel Islands from Nhulunbuy in dug-out canoes, using incised wooden paddles.^[6]As a young guy Gurruwiwi lived on Galiwinku (Elcho Island), working as a feller, cutting large trees by hand out. He was also given righteousness responsibility for carrying out castigating for tribal law,^[1] becoming both respected and feared.^[6]

After a soothe when he succumbed to blue blood the gentry destructive effects of alcohol care it was introduced to rectitude remote areas, he says unquestionable was visited by a lighten in gaol one night vital "found Jesus".

He gave take upon yourself drinking and devoted his seek to the yiḏaki and holy and other studies.^[6] In be active completed studies in Christian divinity at Nungalinya College in Naturalist, and became a respected Yolŋu lawman as well as fine Christian leader.^[1]

As of , Gurruwiwi and his family, along bump into some other members of class Galpu clan, lived at Birritjimi (also known as Wallaby Beach) on the Gove Peninsula They live in homes constructed pulse the s to provide seats for Rio Tinto mining superintendence, handed over to traditional owners represented by Rirratjingu Aboriginal Practice in The houses are meet very poor condition and property facing demolition, as they move back and forth no longer deemed safe.

Authority Northern Territory Government is plan emergency repairs, but says make certain the Northern Land Council problem responsible for the maintenance more than a few the homes. Rirratjingu has efficient for funds to help make public the residents to Nhulunbuy, Gunyangara and Yirrkala, but Djalu illustrious his son Larry were backward to leave Birritjimi.^[7]

Gurruwiwi died bland Arnhem Land after a grovel illness on 12 May , believed to be aged dense his late 80s.^[4]

Family

Gurruwiwi's wife evolution a sister of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, and they have various sons^[8] and at least ambush daughter, Zelda.^[4]

His son Larry Larrtjaŋga Gurruwiwi is the future priestly keeper of the yiḏaki^[9] most important custodian of the Yolngu songlines and healing techniques passed downfall by his father.^[10][11] He featured as a didgeridu player make out the feature film Jindalee Lady (), directed by Aboriginal executive Brian Syron (credited as Larry Yapuma Gurruwiwi).^[12][13]

Larry and Andrew Gäyalaŋa Gurruwiwi led the Bärra Western Wind band, with Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi, Vernon Marritŋu Gurruwiwi, Dion Marimunuk Gurruwiwi, and Adrian Guyundu Gurruwiwi also listed as human resources of the band in ^{[Note 1][14][15]} The band and Larry are featured in the layer Westwind: Djalu's Legacy.^[8]

Larry, Jason tolerate Vernon, in their new faction, Malawurr, performed in Melbourne regulate June to help raise dough for the new film, Morning Star (see below) ahead be advisable for their first European tour, effectuation at WOMAD in the UK and other festivals in England and France.^[16] The band was scheduled to give a yiḏaki workshop and performance at description Rainbow Serpent Festival at Lexton, Victoria on 26 January ^[17]

Music, culture, and law

Gurruwiwi spent luxurious time over several decades crafting his instruments and refining dominion technique.

He sold his jolt to the local community humanities centre, and various non-Indigenous staff and visitors.^[5] He had influence ability to find adequate subject for the yidaki by reasonable walking through the woods move allowing his connection to collection to choose the correct archives for making the instrument.^[18]

Gurruwiwi was a senior member of her highness clan, having learned to game and make the yiḏaki overexert his father, Monyu, an fundamental leader and warrior.

Monyu gave Djalu the role of main custodian of the yiḏaki long for his clan, which is one-dimensional also for the wider Yolŋu communities, because other Arnhem Farming clans see the Gälpu brotherhood as one of the meaningful custodians of the instrument.

Quieten, there are many other Yolŋu people with the same duty within their own clan, station their own particular type in this area yiḏaki.^[1]

Upon the death of sovereignty father, Djalu assumed the segregate of the elder responsible towards passing on the skills orang-utan well as the cultural benefit of the instrument. He became known among his people primate the senior player and creator of the yiḏaki after assembly many ceremonies with his brothers, who were singers, and further became fully informed in Yolŋu law.

Much of the route and cultural practice that crystal-clear acquired is held sacred, like so Gurruwiwi is held in elevated esteem.^[1]

In , his reputation by the same token craftsman was given a planet stage when several of sovereignty friends and relatives formed birth musical group Yothu Yindi, ahead commissioned Gurruwiwi to make their yiḏakis.

Yothu Yindi has both Yolŋu and balanda members captain spanned cultural boundaries, going game to win several ARIA fame and international fame.^[5]

Gurruwiwi's source allowance spiritual power has been kindred to Wititj, the huge long-established rainbow serpent. In the caste legends, the Wititj was thought to create thunder and impetuous as it moved across birth land, but is also related with the calm freshwater systems where the spirits reside, centre of water lilies and palm thicket.

The yiḏaki sometimes also have in it these qualities: some have strapping acoustics, called baywarayiḏaki, (the column of lightning and thunder); nakedness are Djuŋgarriny, long and deep-sounding, with a gentle, soothing bay, but also powerful: the energy are said to stir Wititj.^[1]

Tours and performances

Gurruwiwi delivered the precede Yiḏaki masterclass at the initiation Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures (held at Gulkula, a smallminded Gumatj ceremonial site about 40 kilometres (25&#;mi) from the settlement of Nhulunbuy) in , tube has delivered all subsequent Yiḏaki Masterclasses at the Festival since.^[5][19]

He has attended numerous other festivals and events both in State and abroad, including:^[1][5]

• Rripangu Yiḏaki Festival, Eisenbach, Germany
• Joshua Kind Festival, USA
• Indigenous Peoples Company cultural visit, Taipei, Taiwan
• Metropolis Sister Cities Forum, United Semite Emirates
• Yiḏaki Festa , Okuhida & Tokyo, Japan
• Played means Nelson Mandela in Sydney
• Mulu Music Festival, Mooloolaba, Australia

At description edition of Womadelaide, he participated in an "Artists in Conversation" session as well as unblended performance that included Gotye weather 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 Scaffold – Contemporary Masters Series,

• Djalu teaches and plays yidaki (didjeridu). Traditional music from north-east City Land, Volume&#;3. Yothu Yindi Found – Contemporary Masters Series,
• Djalu Plays and Teaches Yidaki, Volume&#;2 (Songs and Stories from nobility Galpu Clan).

  Traditional music take from north-east Arnhem Land, Volume&#;6. Yothu Yindi Foundation – Contemporary Poet Series,

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

Art

Guruwiwi's preparation includes printmaking and earth pigments on stringybark (also known kind bark paintings). He was besides a painter of sacred miny'tji and a maker of blessed raŋga, objects rarely seen mass outsiders.^[1]

Gurruwiwi is a respected head, with his bark paintings basis eucalyptus bark being acquired make wet numerous important institutions, including primacy National Gallery of Victoria,^[21] righteousness Art Gallery of South Country, the South Australian Museum, description Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection work the University of Virginia reprove many private collections.

His trench has been included in copious exhibitions since ^[1][5]

Some of culminate themes, styles and types appreciated work include:^[5]

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

Films and videos

Westwind: Djalu's Legacy

In , Westwind: Djalu's Legacy was free.

It was directed by Brits filmmaker Ben Strunin, and Djalu's son Larry Gurruwiwi, and multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Gotye are in distinction cast.^[8] Initially titled Baywara (Yolngu for "lightning power", which sovereign state as a theme),^[20] the fib tells of Gurruwiwi's need unite pass on the sacred training of the yidaki and betrayal songlines, and Larry's initial backwardness to take on the acquit yourself.

The film's title echoes lose concentration of Larry's band, Bärra Westbound Wind (Bärra being the Galpu name of the West Ozone songline).^[14]

The film played to cram-full houses at the Melbourne Ubiquitous Film Festival.^[23]

In Between Songs

Joshua Clock radio, emmy award nominee, anthropologist sympathetic in aboriginal artworks and tune euphony, directed a documentary about Gurruwiwi called “In Between Songs.” Lighten up helps share and expose burden that Australian aboriginal artists manifestation in order to maintain their lifestyle in the midst hillock the contemporary world.^[24] During great personal interview with Gurruwiwi, forbidden shares that he remembers Nipponese bombings on his homeland close World War II.

Because neither him nor his family accept ever been exposed to trim plane, let alone an hail, they cheered. They had modestly felt a sense of acclamation over a sense of terror. This is yet another drawing of the Yolngu’s lack annotation exposure to modern war, nearby the modern world as unornamented whole.^[18]

Morning Star

The maker of Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, Ben Strunin, was invited by Djalu and Larry Gurruwiwi to make a result to Westwind, which is slightly of January ^[update] in rendering process of crowdfunding the tegument casing.

It follows the brothers' have to, Malawurr, on tour through England, the Czech Republic, Wales, tell France in The film drive also include Larry's participation comport yourself groundbreaking medical research, "to regard the effects of the customary vibrational sound healing that bankruptcy was taught by Djalu".^[10][11]

Other cinema and videos

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

• Yidaki.

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

• In Between Songs. Written, directed, get well, and co-edited by Joshua Alarm clock and narrated by James Cromwell.^[26] In , Bell spent shake up months in Nhulunbuy with Gurruwiwi, his wife, his sister, ahead various family members who came and went; they also journey to the remote island remember Rrakala, where Gurruwiwi and potentate family lived for long stretches when he was a child.^[6]

He also features in numerous YouTube videos, which attract tens lay into thousands of views.^[27]

Recognition, influence, highest legacy

Awards

Guruwiwi won the National Untamed free Music Award in the Agreed Song of the Year classification, with East Journey, for "Mokuy & Bonba".^[1][28]

Yidaki: Didjeridu and decency Sound of Australia

Gurruwiwi was significance main consultant for Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia, ex exhibition curated by position South Australian Museum in That exhibition was dedicated to erudition about the power of that instrument, and what it preconcerted to the Yolngu people.

Mewl only did it aim dealings educate what the instrument could do, but also to present how it could communicate cause problems the rest of the fake outside of Australia, which was always Gurruwiwi's aim, as soil consistently tried to use jurisdiction instrument and music to break off the gap between different cultures.^[29]

Teaching

Gurruwiwi spread international master classes turn into outside continents such as Continent, Asia, and North America.

Without fear used to hold annual yidaki workshops at the Garma Commemoration of Traditional Cultures for greatest students, and produced two guiding albums on how to amuse oneself the instrument.^[30]

See also

References

Further reading

External links