Launching Murli la in the Tiwi Islands

In the remote Tiwi Islands, a 20-strong group of female Elders have been meeting to sing for decades.

Their mission —  to compose and perform songs that hold cultural, genealogical, geographical and spiritual knowledge that has been passed down through thousands of years of Tiwi storytelling, ceremony and in the songlines that circle the islands. 

Their goal —  to preserve and pass these song stories to their children, grandchildren and future generations. 

The Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group from the Tiwi Islands have been sisters and friends all their lives. As young women they composed songs and as Elders and mentors in their Community, they draw on the old ways of Tiwi song traditions to help young Tiwi people connect with their language and cultural identity, also creating new songs. 

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Dr Genevieve Campbell, co-founder of Ngarukuruwala (We Sing), has for over sixteen years been closely involved in helping Tiwi song custodians preserve and maintain traditions of song composition and Tiwi language. 

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In early December, their long awaited book landed and was ceremoniously launched. Joyful laughter, song and dance flowed at the Patakijiyali Museum, Wurrumiyanga. Local school children, guests and Community members watched with peaked emotions. The women’s pride was immense as was the knowledge that this beautiful, quality book represented a valuable gift to future Tiwi peoples.

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ILF’s Technology Manager, Peter, and Publishing Manager, Nicola, were privileged to join ILF Regional Coordinator Tictac for the launch of Murli la: Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands. 

“As a Tiwi person I am grateful to them for choosing to preserve their songs and stories for future generations” - Tictac Moore, ILF Regional Coordinator 

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“It was incredibly moving to observe the interplay between the old ladies and the school students who were present. It was so clear that the book was an offering from the former to the latter, an encapsulation of story, song and language for the next generation to take forward - Nicola Robinson, ILF Publishing Manager

This is not the first time the women have performed. Dr Campbell has been instrumental in giving the women an opportunity to share their songs. They have performed at the Sydney Opera House, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive, and feature in the Australian feature film Top End Wedding.

Murli La is a joint project between the ILF and Hardie Grant and the book is written by the Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group in partnership with Dr Genevieve Campbell. The ILF is extremely grateful for Dr Campbell’s knowledge and assistance in producing the book. 

_{Image by Tiffany Parker.}

The book is currently available for pre-order through our Shop and will be available for purchase from 4 January 2023.

• Posted 22 December, 2022