Sharing culture through dance

Wananami Remote Community School students spent weeks preparing for their traditional dance for NAIDOC Week and travelled eight hours to present it.

The 30 students, from Kindergarten to Year 10, proudly shared Ngarinyin language and culture with tourists and special guests at El Questro’s NAIDOC Week celebration. 

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s theme was 50 Years Deadly, marking five decades of the national week and celebrating voices in the community. 

Principal Joe Lockhart said it was an incredible event that students had been preparing for throughout Term 2. 

“Our students are so proud of their Ngarinyin culture, and they performed with skill, focus and enthusiasm,” Mr Lockhart said. 

Working closely with the community, students learnt the traditional dances of Wanga and Junba from local elders. 

“Junba and Wanga are traditional dances for the Wandjina Wunggurr people, which includes the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunambal tribes of the northern Kimberley area,” Mr Lockhart said. 

“The school and its communities (Kupungarri, Dodnun and Imintji) are on Ngarinyin country and the majority of our students are Ngarinyin.” 

The students had many on Country excursions to collect ornmol (white ochre) and paperbark and leaves for the students to wear. Community members helped prepare items such as widbin (woven belts), ngardarri (headcaps) and various totems.  

To get to El Questro, students, staff and community members travelled eight hours down the Gibb River Road. They spent an entire week in the area, camping and exploring the gorges, practising for their big day and taking part in NAIDOC art and music workshops. 

Year 8 student Arnneliah Wilson said she felt proud to share her culture with the community. 

“It was very exciting. I think it is important for people to learn about Ngarinyin culture through Junba and Wanga,” she said. 

“I learned more about this part of Ngarinyin country (El Questro) and how to respect it.” 

Tavis Chulung, Year 9, said he felt excited, proud and deadly to perform at the NAIDOC celebration. 

“I learned more about the specific way that my skin group is painted with ornmol (ochre) for Junba and Wanga,” he said. 

“My favourite part was the Argula (spirit) dance. I danced this with my brother.” 

Mr Lockhart said the students are well known in the area for their Junba and Wanga skills. 

“Our school prioritises creating the time and space for Ngarinyin senior leaders and elders to teach it,” said Mr Lockhart. 

“There is a Ngarinyin language word, Jurlibiddi, which means to carry on and this is a priority for our school. For our students to carry on their language, culture and traditions, and Junba and Wanga are important parts of this.”