Songspirals Gurrutu (kinship) Workshop

Run by Yolŋu guests from North East Arnhem Land, this workshop is an opportunity to learn about the Yolŋu kinship system, gurrutu. Gurrutu is not only a blood relationship, but a place in a pattern of existence, a system of relationships. Gurrutu holds all to so with human beings, animals, nature, land, and sea.

The workshop is being held as part of the Songspirals: Yolŋu women sharing and nourishing milkarri at the University of Newcastle Gallery from the 23rd of September to the 26th of November. The exhibition includes print-making, weaving, and audio-visual works, connected to the Yolŋu kinship system, Gurrutu, and five songspirals (also known as songslines).

The workshop lead facilitators are Rrawun Maymuru and Warrangu Maymuru . 

Warrangu Maymuru is a Maŋgalili woman, raised by a Gumatj Elder and a member of the Bawaka Collective. She is a Yolŋu mother and grandmother from the beautiful homeland of Bawaka in North East Arnhem Land. She is one of the curators of the Songspirals exhibition, and a co-author of two books published by Allen & Unwin, Welcome to My Country (2013) and Songspirals: sharing women's wisdom of Country through songlines (2019). Warrangu also works with Bawaka Cultural Experiences, a Yolŋu owned and run Indigenous tourism business. As a key member of the business, she works with visitors to Bawaka to share life at Bawaka, helping them understand and respect Yolŋu culture and land.

Rrawun Maymuru comes from a long line of Yolŋu songmen from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land and his songs reflect a love for Country and culture as well as his distinct perspective on the modern world. In 2012 Rrawun was awarded the GR Burrarwanga Memorial Award for best new talent at the National Indigenous Music awards. Rrawun also fronts the Aboriginal rock band, East Journey. In the Songspirals exhibition, Rrawun sings and shares the Guwak Songspiral. He is Wäŋa Wataŋu, the custodian of the songspiral, and it is his responsibility to care for this songspiral through his father, who is from the mangalili clan.  

Workshop attendees will receive a free copy of the book Weaving Lives Together at Bawaka on the workshop day with their ticket and attendance.

Kids are welcome and free. Light refreshments will be provided.