Iwaidja
Click here for a pdf file of the transcription.
Out of respect for the recent death of the speaker, the recording is not currently being
made available on the web.
Click here for a pdf file of the transcription.
To our knowledge, the Iwaidja Jurtbirrk (lovesong)
genre has never before been recorded. Songs are individually composed, and
performed for entertainment by one or two singers, accompanying themselves on
clapsticks (arrilil). The didjeridu player alternates two didjeridus; one
high-pitched (ardawirr yitalka), and one low-pitched (ardawirr urrunburr). This
recording features the lower instrument, pitched about E2.
- Video: Milinyukuk (wmv)
This text was recorded on 24th January 2004 on the road to
Jimurtbab (Third Bay), Croker Island. The speaker, Joy Williams, briefly points
out the relationship between the flowering of the indigofera saxicola plants and
the fattening of the cockles in the bay at Minjilang. This is one example of the
many correspondences between sea and land which are part of the Iwaidja oral
tradition. Frequently, as in this case, there are no common English equivalents
for the flora in this region.
This text was recorded by Bruce Birch and Nick Evans on 23rd July 2003 at the Visitors Quarters, Minjilang, Croker Island. The main speaker is Khaki Marrala with David Minyamak adding occasional comments and clarifications. The purpose of the text was to identify all body parts, incuding internal organs, as well as the various cuts of meat and fat taken from the Green Sea Turtle, one of the most important food sources for the people of the Cobourg region.