2024 Giiyong Festival Delivers a Vibrant Community Celebration
BARKAA, Giiyong Festival 2024. Photo by David Rogers Photography.
Giiyong Festival, the largest multi-arts Aboriginal cultural festival in southern NSW, recently took place on Saturday 9 November, at "Jigamy," an Aboriginal-owned property between Pambula and Eden, NSW. Nestled on the shores of Pambula Lake, on Thaua country.
The day was filled with celebration, community, truth-telling and Cultural immersion. Organised by South East Arts, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, this year's Giiyong Festival was the fourth edition, following its successful debut in 2018. "Giiyong" means "come to welcome" in the south coast languages spoken by Elders, and true to its name, the festival invites everyone to experience the rich cultural activity of the region.
The event was opened with a special Welcome to Country from Uncle B.J. Cruse and smoking ceremony and dance by Eden’s Duruunu Miru Dance group led by Shaquille Aldridge.
Alison Simpson, Joint Interim CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation said, "Giiyong Festival is more than just numbers through the gate. We hope that people take home a sense of welcome and unity, that they feel they have learnt something new and they have felt the strength of our culture."
This year’s program was spread over four zones, covering everything from music, dance, language, arts and crafts, as well as food and ideas. The speakers program highlighted the emergence of strong youth leadership within the local Aboriginal community. There were presentations and performances from Ripple Effect Band from Maningrida, NT and Punkiliyarra, a special collaborative project with people from Roebourne, WA and arts and social change organisation Big hART.
Ms Simpson chaired a panel of language specialists - Aunty Ellen Munday (Djirringanj), Aunty Vivian Mason (Walbunja), Jacob Chant-Morris (Gumea-Dharrawal) and Darren Wighton (Wiradjuri) - who shared insights on the different projects and approaches happening various communities to explore and revive traditional languages.
Headlining the Giiyong music program was the powerhouse rapper BARKAA, a Malyangapa, Barkindji artist who has earned the title "Blak Matriarch of Aussie Hip Hop". She recently took home the Artist of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards and along with south coast legend Nooky and Gomeroi artist Kobie Dee, they had the audience jumping at the Uncle Jimmy Aldridge Stage. Also on the program were Benny Walker, The Djidjarns, Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan, Dale Robert Huddleston and The Riverbank Band, and Michelle Russell.
Festival favourite Sean Choolburra was joined on stage by Tik Tok sensation Bush Tucker Bunjie, and also presented his very popular and energetic kids show. Cultural demonstrations and workshops shared ancient techniques for creating traditional tools, spears, possum skin cloaks, painting and weaving. The Bambarang Men’s Group Narooma were a popular stall, along with almost 30 other Aboriginal creators and makers selling everything from traditionally carved emu eggs to native plants.
Julie Wilson from Guiltfree Gourmet in Orbost in Victoria, won the Best Use of Native Ingredients with her excellent Bush Tucker Tasting Plate and was one of 10 food vendors from around the region. Her prize was presented by Chef Mark Olive, whose cooking demonstrations are always a popular inclusion in the Festival.
The late afternoon saw all participating dance groups from up and down the south coast come together for Dhilwaan Yarrkural (Nightfall Dance). Ms Simpson said, ‘It’s a special moment at each Giiyong Festival, when multi-generational dance groups celebrate in the Bunaan Ring. It’s quite awe-inspiring and certainly leaves the crowds with something to talk about.”
Festival Director Jazz Williams reported that over 2500 people attended the event and that the far-reaching economic benefits of Giiyong to the region were still being tallied, as post-event survey results continue to roll in.
“Giiyong is an important event for our region and has broad appeal. One message that is coming through loud and clear from audience members is their appreciation of the contribution of local Aboriginal youth to the event - as volunteers, crew, performers and presenters,” Ms Williams said. ’
Almost 90 volunteers worked across the course of a week, to assist the Giiyong Festival crew to stage the massive event. Ms Williams said, “We rely very much on our volunteers and it’s always great to see so many people put their hands up. In particular, the labour assistance received from the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast and Campbell Page, Eden is invaluable and very much appreciated.”
Giiyong Festival is a unique opportunity for the South East NSW community to come together in celebration of Aboriginal arts, Culture, reconciliation, and resilience. The festival is supported through sponsorship and donations and partially funded by Create NSW.
Organisers welcome conversations regarding further financial and in-kind support from interested parties.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Doust Howarth
Giiyong Festival Communications Director
0447006913 giiyong@southeastarts.org.au