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Waralungku

by Arrkula Yinbayarra

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Join us in preserving tradition through this heartfelt collaboration, where music becomes a timeless vessel for storytelling and connection. Be taken on a musical voyage with Arrkula Yinbayarra, an album conceived from the visionary spirit of Marlene Timothy. Rooted in community empowerment, this collective masterpiece celebrates Indigenous languages—Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji, and Marra—woven into 10 soul-stirring tracks. Guided by language custodians, each note reverberates with the rich tapestry of Gulf of Carpentaria's cultural heritage.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Waralungku via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
All Together We Sing 03:30
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Yanyuwa Ngambalawiji li-Wunungu li-Wunungu All of us, we are strong people, we are strong people li-Nhanawa li-Wunungu li-Wunungu The women are strong, so strong We Sing in Yanyuwa Wuka Yanyuwa language (story) We Sing in Yanyuwa Wuka Yanyuwa language (story) Garrwa Ngambala Bugamba Ngirugamugu Ngirugamugu We are all together strong Ji-Bardi Mugu Ngirugamugu Ngirugamugu Strong woman we are strong people We Sing in Garrwa Jangurr language (speak) We Sing in Garrwa Jangurr language (speak) Gudanji Bungmanya Yardugana Yardugana Nargarna Yardugarna Ngalwi Ngalarna We Sing in Gudanji Ngalwi Ngalarna We Sing in Gudanji Ngawli Ngalarna Marra Wulrambi Niwigalgalgara Niwigalgalgara Together we are strong Wulgirrya Galgalgara Galgalgara Strong women We Sing in Marra Ngarliwilmanji Ngarliwilmanji Marra we are speaking We Sing in Marra Ngarliwilmanji Ngarliwilmanji Marra we are speaking Yanyuwa Marra Gudanji Marra We Sing in Yanyuwa Wuka Yanyuwa language (story) We Sing in Garrwa Jangurr Garrwa language (speak) We Sing in Gudanji Ngalwi Ngalarna Gudanji language (speak) We Sing in Marra Ngarliwilmanji Ngarliwilmanji Marra we are speaking
2.
A-Kurija 03:35
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a-Kurija Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah a-Kurija Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah Anyngkarrinjawu a-Kurija kirri-yinbala Listen now, the songs composed by women you will sing Kanda-nmala The song will be Mulungka yirruwa In all your mouths a-Kurija Mulungka the songs composed by women will be in your mouths Yirruwa mulungka x 4 In your mouths a-Kurija (a-Kurija) x 4 Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah a-Kurija Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah I ask you to listen And learn your songs Singing out loud and strong We need to hold on to what is ours Our traditional way of life a-Kurija (a-Kurija) x 4 Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah a-Kurija Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah Kawa rru-wingkaya Come on here Anyngkarrinjawu Listen now a-Kurija songs composed by women kanda-nmala they will be there mulungka yirruwa in your mouths a-Kurija Mulungka songs composed by women in your mouths Yirruwa Mulungka x 4 In your mouths a-Kurija (a-Kurija) x 4 Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah a-Kurija Song composed by women Aah Aah Aah Aah
3.
We Are Garrwa 03:43
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Chorus We Are Garrwa (Garrwa) We lived off the land that looked after our people We grew up strong and happy We lived out bush We ate from the land and the rivers We were healthy Chorus Our men were strong in culture Hunting with pride Our women would rise with the sun And gather what we needed Chorus Wabula jungku nurrdyi munji A long time ago we sitting in the bush munji-na Sitting in the bush Jarrdijba nurrdyi kunjbana wadana Peacefully sitting we eating good bush food Bakyli nurrdu jungku ngiruka mankanji Also we sitting strong in body Jarrdba nurryi munji wunji wada Grew up eating bush tucker Chorus Ngarninyji muku jungku yali ngiruka muku More than one man sitting everybody all of us strong Jibarri muku walajba yali ngarrdara jirrdi More than one women get up (stand up), everybody with the sun Baykyli yalu wijkurnumba wadan Also them bring back food Chorus Jangku ngambala yabimba x 5 Make us feel good when we eat bush tucker (sit us good way) Chorus We lived off the land that looked after our people
4.
Journey 03:46
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Travelling across the land With my family in my hands Travelling across the land With my family in my hands Hunting along the way Our Elders lead the way The land is giving to us All that we need Sharing together In perfect harmony Before welfare came and took our children away Chorus Warbula ngarbaryar muku jilajbayarli Long time ago, the white man came Jarimbaryarli wawarra muku junu ngambarlangi They took our children away somewhere Warbula ngarbaryar muku jilajbayarli Long time ago, the white man came Jarimbaryarli wawarra muku junu ngambarlangi They took our children away somewhere Protecting our sacred land As she shares her heart with us She’s crying for the future Be connected with us Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Marra, Gudanji Then the welfare came took our children away Chorus Travelling across the land
5.
Barkly Tablelands 03:51
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Early days in the Barkly Tablelands Garrwa, Yanyuwa, Marra, Gudanji Coming together travelling the land Calling out to the country we are here Shared their culture with families along the way Hunting together in the Gulf country Chorus Flour sugar and tea is all they gave to me I don't understand their ways Why I didn’t get a real pay Coz the truth is We’re the backbone of this country Duwanya Ngirningi Direction. Go that way Ginmanjiya yardunya Work go there they go Nginiyi jabudu jabudu ngarra maka Leading the way my place Durraminya ngiambungma Go back our place Ngawuniji Mine Chorus Then came the cattle industry The wajbala needed our help in many ways whitefella Fulfill their dream Fill their greed Duwanya Ngirningi Direction. Go that way Ginmanjiya yardunya Work go there they go Nginiyi jabudu jabudu ngarra maka Leading the way my place Durraminya ngiambungma Go back our place Ngawuniji Mine Chorus Coz the truth is We’re the backbone of this country
6.
Light Of The Fire 02:56
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What was it like Back in the day When no wajbala whitefella Come this way Our culture was strong In every way lhurramantharra Awarawu Dancing for this country Chorus No Kamukamu alcohol Na-Burruburru No books ( in reference to gambling with cards ) No wujurl marijuana We were hunting telling story Singing our songs By the light of the fire Too many broken hearts today Too much fighting That's not our way Little ones watching All that we do Now it's up to Me and you Chorus Barranamba Wabarrangu Kambala Ninya Like it was in the old days when we were all together Lhurramantharra Awarawu Ngambalanga When we would all dance for the our country Chorus By the light of the fire By the light of the fire By the light of the fire
7.
Keeping Our Culture Strong 03:12
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Kurdardi ngarrinyjawu There is no one listening The river that runs dry No place, no stories Kudardi Wukawu Yirrunga None of you have any stories No-one is listening to the stories From the old Kurdardi ngarrinyjawu There is no one listening Kurdardi wukawu yirrnga None of you have any stories Chorus We need to keep our culture strong Ngambala li-Wunungu yeah All of us are strong We need to keep our culture strong Ngambala li-Wunungu all of us are strong Yeah Our Elders are the knowledge keepers It's in their hands Without our culture, we got no land Were learning our culture and listening to our old li-wunungu ngarrinyjawu Listening for the strong old people Wabuda jiwa-waninji kari-wayka The water is returning now from downstream Chorus Keeping our culture strong (Keeping our culture) x3 Keeping our culture strong
8.
Makassan 03:05
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Long time ago They arrived on our shore Came from a land So far, far away They came for the treasures That we had in our sea Turtle shell and shark fins Were their delicacies Chorus They sailed across for trepang (sea cucumber [Indonesian dialect]) Tharribawu we call sea cucumber Side by side in harmony We gathered it all Then began relationships Of Makassans and our families Sharing our culture And our stories Chorus Kalu-arri arrkula Mayamantharra aluwa We were all there mixed together li-Makassan kulu li -Yanyuwa The Makassans and the Yanyuwa people kalu-arri nyamba-wukanyinjarra They were talking to each other kurrinjibijilu Yanyuwa Turn and turn about with Yanyuwa stories Chorus Side by side In harmony We gathered it all
9.
Harmony 03:26
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Aah aah aah aah Walking hand in hand Across the land Around the world Together in harmony You and me Yanyuwa Wingkayarra arrkula mardamarda We are walking as one, together Mingkiya ji-awarala Sitting in the Country Yamulhu ngamabala We are all feeling good x2 Garrwa Jiljba Ngambala We all together Malumba Yabimba We are very strong Walkurrana Yajina On the big country Malumba Ngambala We are very strong x2 Walking hand in hand Across the land Around the world Together in harmony You and me x2
10.
Get Up Stand Up 03:02
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Let’s get up stand up And dance together Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Marra, Gudanji We stay strong together Make the world a better place Peace and harmony For all the human race Chorus Nguthundiya ngamaliya arkardiya aya East West South North Langi kurla kardi bayungu East West South North Kardinja ngambala bukamba ngiruka We stand together strong Kardinja ngambala bukamba ngiruka We stand together strong Chorus Ngambala wiji li-wunungu Together we are strong Jibiya Marnarnji Belonging to here Ngambala wiji li-wunungu Together we are strong Jibiya marnarnji Belonging to here Chorus x 4

about

Waralungku is an album of 10 songs in Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji and Marra and written by women dedicated to reclaiming their languages for future generations, preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

It is a heartfelt honouring of community, family, Country, the old ways and the way of life in Borroloola today by Dinah Norman, Isa McDinny, Nancy McDinny, Mavis Timothy, Annie Taylor, Marlene Karkadoo, Maria Pyro, Rachel McDinny, Selma Hoosan, Deandra McDinny and Dr Shellie Morris AO.

credits

released December 26, 2023

Singers + Songwriters: Dinah Norman, Isa McDinny, Nancy McDinny, Mavis Timothy, Dr Shellie Morris AO, Annie Taylor, Marlene Karkadoo, Maria Pyro, Rachel McDinny, Selma Hoosan, Deandra McDinny

Marlene Karkadoo (Vision)
Dr Shellie Morris AO (Executive Producer & Lead Songwriter)
James Mangohig (Engineer, co-producer, bass, guitar, programming & arranging)
Tony Espie (album mix)
Caiti Baker (additional vox, engineering &editing)
Matthew Cunliffe (mastering engineering)
Manolis Kamitsis, Barnabas Timothy, Jonasz Dabrowski, Shellie Morris (guitars)
Rowan Dally (additional drums & percussion)
Matthew WF Wells (photography)
Paz Tazzone (photography)
Listen to the Graphics (graphic design)

Thank yous
Many thanks to the commitment of all Arrkula Yinbayarra members, their families and the community of Borroloola for believing in and dedicating themselves to this project. We are grateful for the generous use of the Rrumburriya Hall during the rehearsal and recording of this project and ArtBack for its support in project management and grant applications. Thank you to Emily Murphy-O’Neill from Em Events for commitment in assisting in gathering information, proofing, management and unwavering support.

Our respect and appreciation to Dr John Bradley who has supported the community for more than 40 years and holds in safekeeping so much of our Yanyuwa language.

Special thanks Barnabas Timothy who has supported us throughout this project, lending his voice and musical skills.

The integrity of this album would not have been possible without the linguistic knowledge of translators Peggy and Daphne Mawson and Angelina Joshua.

This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts through the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program.

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Arrkula Yinbayarra Borroloola, Australia

Arrkula Yinbayarra: A cultural odyssey preserving Indigenous languages. This community-driven album celebrates culture through 10 beautifully crafted songs in the critically endangered languages of Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji, and Marra. Join us on this musical journey, where heartfelt lyrics echo the resilience of the Gulf of Carpentaria community and celebrate these powerful women's voices. ... more

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