Episode 7: Taking Inyjalarrku around the world and carrying it on with Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu and Reuben Brown

Senior Mawng songmen, musicians and brothers, Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu from Warruwi (Goulburn Island) and non-Indigenous scholar Dr. Reuben Brown talk to us about manyardi (a song ceremony from western Arnhem Land), in particular, the Inyjalarrku ‘mermaid’ songset and dance ceremony. We discuss their research collabs, Reuben’s Mamurrng* “gift” ceremony, Rupert and Renfred’s father’s father, the late George Winunguj MBE, new adaptations, hopes for the future, Reuben’s new book “The Gift of Song” and more!

Disclaimers

The knowledge in this episode is the Indigenous cultural intellectual property (ICIP) of Inyjalarrku manyardi ceremony leaders and custodians. It is used in this podcast with their consent. Further use without proper attribution of the ICIP owners may breach customary laws as well as copyright and moral rights under the Copyright Act 1968 (Australian Govt) 

Listeners are advised that we mention and feature the voices of people who have died. 

Featured music (with podcast timecodes)

1. Nulatparlangkat (‘fast one’) - Inyjalarrku ‘mermaid’ ceremony song - Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu with Alfred Gawaraidji, recorded by Reuben Brown  (RB2-20230914-13-IL_nulatparlangkat_old_new_edit). (3:04-4:39)
2. Inyjalarrku by George Winunguj MBE, Kate Conti (collector), Victor Carell (speaker), Dick Roughsey (performer), 1962. Ballet of the South Pacific 1970 . JPEG/TIFF/MPEG/VND.WAV. VCBD-003 at catalog.paradisec.org.au. https://dx.doi.org/10.26278/zcaj-8s50 (15:56-17:50)
3. Remix - Inyjalarrku ‘mermaid’ ceremony song - Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu and Warruwi community. Recorded by Reuben Brown (RB2-20230914-21-IL_remix). (23:24-24:53)
4. Jumpy One - Inyjalarrku ‘mermaid’ ceremony song- Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu and Reuben Brown recorded for Music!Dance!Culture! (36:22-37:27)
5. Iwarruj  (excerpt) - by Warruwi community produced by Wayne Glenn from SoundED with support from West Arnhem Regional Council (42:53-43:43)
6. Indjalarrgu (excerpt), sung by Nambadambal and Nadjalbur with Wandiwandi (didjeridu), Songs from the Northern Territory No.1: Recorded by Alice Moyle in 1962, AIATSIS 1991. (53:08-54:24)
7. Inyjalarrku-Shimauta collaboration (excerpt) - performance by Rupert and Renfred with Marin Naruse, singer and sanshin player from Amami Islands in Japan recorded by Reuben Brown (Inyjalarrku-Shimauta collaboration_01_Lisbon). (57:45-58:50)

Reuben Brown recordings to be archived in PARADISEC RB2 collection

Research by Reuben Brown on manyardi*

Brown, R., O'Keeffe, I., Manmurulu, R., Manmurulu, R. and Manmurulu, J., 2024. ‘Remix!' Continuity through innovation in the manyardi song tradition of western Arnhem Land. In Supporting Vulnerable Performance Traditions: Keeping it Going in Contexts of Continuity and Change, G. Curran and M. White-Radhakrishnan (eds.). Routledge. ISBN: 9781032693965 

Brown, R., 2024. The Gift of Song: Performing Exchange in Western Arnhem Land. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003216339 

Credits

Music!Dance!Culture! is produced by Georgia Curran and Mahesh White-Radhakrishnan, this episode co-produced with Reuben Brown, Rupert and Renfred Manmurulu, theme music by Mahesh remixed by Arian Pearson, transitions by Mahesh and Alexis Weaver. Special thanks to the Manmurulu family and Warruwi community, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, PARADISEC, Wayne Glenn from Sounded, Jodie Kell, Amanda Harris, Isabel O’Keefe, Kate Conti, AIATSIS, our reviewers, beta listeners and supporters. 

*Visit music-dance-culture.com for more detailed shownotes including a glossary and more research