Gawurra, the incredibly talented Yolngu songwriter and musician from East Arnhem Land, Australia has recently released his debut album Ratja Yaliyali.
Sung in the Gupapuyngu language of East Arnhem Land, Ratja Yaliyali is a blend of traditional and contemporary songs. Stanley Gawurra Gaykamangu was born on the Gove Peninsula then lived on his grandmother’s land of Yathalamara before moving to Milingimbi Island. His culture, songlines, stories and history are deeply embedded in his voice and his lyrics.
‘We don’t write these songlines down, we sing, this is how we learn. We sing from the heart and mind’. These songlines are the stories of the land and the sea, the wind, the clouds – and they tell the story of Gawurra.
To celebrate the release we’re today hosting a track by track break down of the LP (approved by Gawurra himeself) check it out below and for more info pop by his Facebook page.
Bundurr
‘Bundurr’ translates to ‘Story of Myself’ and in this original song Gawurra explains his family history, and the clan names on the sides of his mother and father.
Djiwul
(Green Weeds from Fresh Water) is a traditional song line representing young Yirritja Moiety groups from communities all over the Top End of Australia. It describes how black hair turns white, changing from a young man or woman into a respected Clan Elder. Being known then, only by their surname as a mark of respect and honour.
Warrarra Gurrungula
‘Warrarra Gurrungula’ means ‘Yellow Sunset’ and in it Gawurra sings about the sun setting on the funeral of his grandmother.
Gurrupurungu Ngarra
‘Gurrupurungu Ngarra’ tells the story of a man who watches his relatives receive money, without passing any of it to him. He laments that he is a poor man and can only smell the smoke of their cigarettes, as they don’t pass any of their tobacco or money to him.
Mulunda
In track seven, ‘Mulunda’, Gawurra sings about the Kingfisher who travels from a country far away, and as he flies to new places he creates the new lands ahead of him.
Dharpa Garayurru
‘Dharpa Garayurru’ tells of a small dancing tree that sways from side to side, to the sound of the didgeridoo. It has many names and calls to many clans to celebrate with pride, love and joy – while weeping and mourning at the same time.
Guwak
‘Guwak’ is about a little black bird who cries every night looking for Ratja Yaliyali – or that connection to spirit and life. He once carried Ratja Yaliyali in his dilly bag and now he can’t find him anymore so he calls ‘guwak guwak’ every day.
Warrarra
‘Warrarra’ is a gospel song about the sacrifice of Jesus’ life for the sake of all eternal life.
Ratja Yaliyali
‘Ratja Yaliyali’ is the name of the album and also the first single. In English it translates to ‘Vine of Love’ and is an ancient songline that describes the thread of love that connects everything and everyone. Gawurra explains “People feel the spirit of Ratja Yaliyali, feelings fading and coming back again. Ratja Yaliyali is a spirit, like the wind. He left his own Country a long time ago and travelled a long way, from sunrise to sunset.
Ratja Yaliyali connects all people, different clans, and makes us all one. Ratja Yaliyali is the journey of life, and when people listen, it is a remembering of anything from the past, and of people and family who have passed. This is how people stay connected to those who have passed, it is the feeling that they are right here with you.”
When Yolngu people hear Ratja Yaliyali, they feel it in their hearts and they cry. If people have a problem or feel heavy, they listen to Ratja Yaliyali and it touches them and builds their spirit back up and they feel different, better, stronger.”
By sharing this song and his album with the world, Gawurra is hoping that everyone can experience the blessings of Ratja Yaliyali.
Gawurra has recently moved to Melbourne with his wife and daughter, which makes the theme of ‘Ratja Yaliyali’ all the more poignant, as that ‘thread of love’ is what maintains the relationships with his family and ancestors back in Arnhem Land, while also forging fresh and meaningful connections in his new city home.
Gawurra will premiere his full live concert of the album at the most spiritual festival in the country – Walking With Spirits at Beswick Falls – 330 kms south of Darwin on July 23rd.
