|
You are here: Home > Education
> Profiles > Nigel Barra'kuwuy Yunupingu
Barra'kuwuy Yunupingu
European name:
Nigel
Other Aboriginal names:
Barra'kuwuy
Family name: Yunupingu
Skin name: Gotjuk
Language: Dhuwala'
Tribe: Yolngu
Clan: Gumatj
Community:
Galiwin'ku, Arnhem Land, NT
Father:
Djungadjunga Yunupingu
Mother:
Dhangal #1 Gurruwiwi
Year of birth:
1980
|
Nigel Barra'kuwuy
Yunupingu
Barra'kuwuy is a member of the legendary Saltwater Band hailing
from remote Elcho Island, Arnhem Land. He is the didgeridoo
player for the band and appears on both Gapu Damurrung'
and Djarritjarri CDs. He has travelled with the band
to Darwin, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane for major festivals,
and recently played before the Queen and audiences at the
Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006.
Asked whom he learnt yidaki from, Barra'kuwuy's answer
is that he is self-taught. That he used to practise on a PVC
pipe as a young boy and listened to older people play, and
from that, picked up the necessary skills and rhythms.
His father is Djungadjunga Yunupingu, a dalkarramirr
(ceremonial ritual specialist). His mother is Dhangal #1 Gurruwiwi,
who heads Elcho Island's Marthakal Homelands & Resource
Centre. Both are strong role models for their community.
Barra'kuwuy at the Commonwealth Games
2006 music festival.
Barra'kuwuy playing the yidaki for
the Saltwater Band at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
The Saltwater Band on stage during
the 2006 Commonwealth Games festival.
|
|
top of page