FIRST LIGHTS – NYINGGULU

Produced by the Fremantle Biennale

This coming April, one of nature’s most phenomenal occurrences, a Total Solar Eclipse, will take place across the World Heritage listed Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) region. The shadow of the moon will grace the tip of Western Australia, with the Exmouth region becoming host to the most accessible place on Earth to view this spectacle. Preceding and closing this occurrence, First Lights: Nyinggulu will take place on Baiyungu Country at Cardabia Station followed by Town Beach at Exmouth. Guided by Baiyungu custodian Hazel Walgar of the Nyinggulu coast and Yingarrda-Wadjarri artist Sonya Edney, the spectacular Dreaming story of the great eclipse will resound across the night sky. A epic story born from silence, of Jirndarl and Willarda, the sun, the moon and their first encounter.

“This project represents a significant opportunity for us to develop and expand new cross-sector partnerships and to develop a meaningful and relevant arts experience that pays tribute to our Traditional stories and culture, that connects broad audiences to engage with spiritual connection to place.” – Baiyungu Traditional Owner and lead cultural knowledge holder for First Lights: Nyinggulu, Hazel Walgar.

Co-presented with the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation as part of the Jamba Nyinayi Festival and Tourism WA as a part of the Dark Sky Festival.

Artists: Hazel Walgar and Sonya Edney
Composer: Alice Humphries
Sound Design: Envelope Audio
Narrated by Hazel Walgar and Ilona McGuire
Animation: Jarrad Russell
Script Editor: Jennifer Kornberger
Technical Partner: Stellar Lights

Supported by:

The Minderoo Foundation
The State Government through the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP), and the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost (RETB) administered by the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries and supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program

Credit: First Lights – Moombaki (2021). Courtesy of Ilona McGuire and the Fremantle Biennale. Photo Duncan Wright

More information (including weather updates) can be found here: https://firstlights.com.au/projects/ningaloo/

Kankawa Nagarra is a Walmatjarri Elder and blues singer-songwriter from the isolated desert community of Wangkatjungka in WA’s East Kimberley. Kankawa fell in love with the blues after hearing it on the radio as a young woman, the music reminding her of the repetitive sounds and rhythms of the traditional Aboriginal music she was brought up with in the desert.

She did not own her own guitar until she was 40 but went on built an international career as a touring artist singing the blues in her own language, and has released three albums since then. 2019 saw her on the road with Hugh Jackman as part of his production, “The Man, The Music”.

Kankawa has collaborated with David Hyams (harmonica, guitar) for the 2021-2 “Songs For Freedom” events and Fairbridge Festival and will be joined by David as well as guitarist Byron Lerner, for her Cardabia show.

This unique and inspiring performer is also a well-respected elder, teacher, mentor, human rights advocate, and political activist.

Photo credit: Claire Leach

From Bidyadanga in WA’s remote Kimberley country, where the desert meets the sea, John Bennett has emerged as a singer/songwriter with an astounding ability to transport listeners to his home country and transcend cultural barriers. His self titled debut album, sung in English with references to his native language of Karijarri, established him as one of the Kimberley’s most powerful voices, representing the lands of his people, his culture and his community.

John met Fremantle based multi-instrumentalist David Hyams in the recording studio while recording his first album.The album received 12 national awards and saw John listed amongst the likes of Gurrumul and Troy Cassar-Daley. The 2 have been performing ever since at concert shows and festivals – including the opening concert of the 2014 Melbourne festival in Federation Square, sharing the stage with Emma Donovan, Wendy Matthews and Archie Roach.

David produced and features prominently on John’s recently released second album “Country is Calling” recorded with the cream of WA musicians, including Grammy award winner Lucky Oceans. Album songs were recognised at various awards and John dominated the 2019 NAIDOC Music Awards, with 4 nominations and a “Best Album” award.

The Red Ochre Band originally formed in Geraldton Western Australia, established in the late 1980’s. Over a period of more than 30 years and four album releases, The Red Ochre Band have supported artists such as Archie Roach and Paul Kelly. Still a hit throughout the regions, the veteran country rockers remain as popular as ever and recently returned from the high profile “Birak” Survival concert in Perth’s Supreme Court Gardens.

Alongside the visiting artists, the festival showcases the cream of local musical talent, introducing new songs written in collaboration for the event with senior elder Hazel Walgar telling the traditional Baiyungu story around the eclipse – the meeting of Willara and Jirndarl, the sun and the moon.

With musical direction by David Hyams, the band features Carnarvon singer songwriter and guitarist Raymond Edney, along with up-and-coming singer Wesley Mongoo, whose powerful voice features on the new song “Willara and Jirndarl”. Young vocalist Jenaya Lawrence will shine on a second song written for the event, “Jamba Nyinayi”. The band is complimented by Hyams on guitars, legendary bassist Roy Martinez and Carnarvon local Anne Bavin on drums.

The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew perform a Traditional Corroboree which has been handed down by their Elders, when they were children, where they were taught to not only dance but to sing the songs as well. They kept this tradition alive by handing the Corroboree down to their children, grandchildren and now their Great grandchildren. Culture is kept alive by teaching our younger generations and all the children who are performing the Corrobboree have been doing so since they were old enough to walk. In April 2018,  The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew had their first performance for the public at their own Peedamulla Campground, which they continue to do so annually.

Our other annual performances include events for NAIDOC and Reconciliation and the Karijini Experience. The Corrobboree performances are now starting to be in high demand, with The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew being fully booked for various events across the Pilbara for NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week in 2023.

The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew members are made up of 4 generations.

Pundarra Guntharri was founded in 2015 as an Indigenous community contemporary performance group. The group consist of local Adults and Youth members (many intergenerational) who perform regularly in and around the Gascoyne region. Pundarra Guntharri is facilitated by lead choreographer Janine Oxenham.