Aboriginal dancing in the Northern Territory

Photos from the Real AUSTRALIA

Aboriginal Dance in the Northern Territory

Among the most spectacular manifestations of Aboriginal culture are the ceremonies and dances that are regularly performed in remote Outback Australia. There are cultural festivals but traditional dances are also often performed in the communities just for fun or celebration. There are also traditional dances at funerals in Top End communities, especially in Arnhem Land and on the Tiwi Islands. Most dances have their roots in the "dreamings", the creation myths, sung in the old languages while the actions of the performers illustrate the deeds of the "Dreamtime Heroes", the mythical beings that created the land in the mythical past.

But here are also examples of dances that have been made up recently, like the one telling the story of a man given his first cigarette by a friend and not getting much pleasure out of it, as shown by men from Barunga, just south of Arnhem Land. And there is the "Aeroplane dance", depicting an event of the Second World War when an American bomber crashed in country to the east of Borroloola and the crew was found by local people. Here are also some examples of dances performed by the women of central Australia, often a loose-knee shuffle, while holding painted boards or sticks accompanied by singing. Elaborate designs are often painted on their upper bodies. Young girls are taught these dances at an early age.

In the Tiwi Islands to the north of Darwin, dances are accompanied by chanting and hand clapping; during their fast clan dances men often slap their upper legs. These dances are also performed at the elaborate "Pukumani" or funerary ceremonies of which there is an example here.

Social dances in the Top End are often called "bungkul" or "wungubal" and typically are very lively with jumps by the men but more demure movements by the women. Hard wooden clapsticks are used to keep time and the "didjeridu", the famous dronepipe made from a hollow log, provides a unique background sound. The didjeridu is uniquely from Arnhem Land and was, in the old days, used nowhere else. There are a few examples here from Numbulwar, on the east coast of Arnhem Land.

Some of these dances were recorded with an old 8 mm film camera or with an early model video camera and the technical quality leaves a bit to be desired for which we apologise.

If you like to see a video of this, just click on the small picture.