It began with a yarn.
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Dja Dja Wurrung performers sat down to talk to decide what they wanted to say at a Yapenya performance.
The songs and dances that came of it they will perform at Rosalind Park in two weeks time.
The event will see more than 50 Djaara people share the story of the Dja Dja Wurrung people through song and dance.
For Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation CEO Rodney Carter the event is about sharing Aboriginal customs with the broader community as part of a celebration.
It’s us being a living culture today and coming together putting our thoughts into how we do want to sing and how we do want to perform for people.
- Rodney Carter
Yapenya marks five years since the Victorian government recognised the Dja Dja Wurrung people as traditional owners of part of central Victoria by signing a Recognition and Settlement Agreement.
For Mr Carter this was significant because it acknowledged the Dja Dja Wurrung’s rights as traditional owners of the land, and gave them the opportunity to work commercially to create a healthy country and healthy people.
“We’re not being compensated, we’re being recognised and now we’ve got to work as hard as anyone else to improve our lot in life,” he said.
“This is one way through performance that we can share this in a positive way with people.”
“It’s us being a living culture today and coming together putting our thoughts into how we do want to sing and how we do want to perform for people.”
The performance communicates ideas from the Dja Dja Wurrung’s history and culture, pulling together significant stories in song and dance.
While some of the verses within chants and songs are ancient, the ideas reflect what the performers have decided they want to share with people in the present.
For singer and dancer Bec Phillips the event is about keeping her culture alive, and telling the stories told for countless generations.
“It’s reminding us of who we are and where we come from,” Ms Phillips said.
“It’s a good way of bringing out mob together. When we practise our culture some of the modern day issues or worries fall away."
Yapenya will be performed on Saturday November 17, from 8pm-9.30pm in Rosalind Park.
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