Milpirri 2018 - Themes and Song Lyrics
Japaljarri, Jungarrayi, Napaljarri and Nungarrayi (Yellow Group)
Themes: Respect
We are all parts of the same body. The body of humanity. We are the arms and legs of each other. Just as in the human body, every part is important. If the parts of the body do not work together, the body will be powerless and our ability will be limited. If we work together, if we treat each other fairly, if we value everybody equally, then everyone will succeed. The body of our community will thrive.
Respect is how we co-exist. With respect for each other, for ourselves, for the land and for the law.
Karli (Boomerang)
The Karli - The boomerang - is given as a symbol of respect. It is used for hunting, and for bringing the ceremony alive with the boomerang clapping. The two boomerangs represent the two moieties, land and sky. The knowledge of the sky, the law of the land; with equal respect for both. They reflect each other’s understanding.
Yinirnti (Bean Necklace)
The bean necklace – yinirnti - represents the choices we make, and the consequences of those choices. It can guide us to make sense of the choices, and keep us on the right path.
Youth Song
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Respect
Respect each other , Respect your family
Respect yourself, Respect your culture
Respect the land , Respect the sky
Respect your elders, Respect our teachers
The law of the land , Keeps us together
Learning from the sky, Makes us clever
The law of the land , Keeps us together
Learning from the sky, Knowledge forever
Respect, respect, Connect, connect
The sky, the sky, The land, the land
Together, together, Forever, forever
Together, together, Forever, forever
Forever, forever, forever, Forever and ever and ever
Forever and ever, Forever and ever and ever and ever
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Find out what it means to me
(This song is a tribute to Aretha Franklin, and her legendary song line about respect.)
Jangala, Jampijinpa, Nangala and Nampijinpa (Blue Group)
Themes: Kuruwarri
Look after the law and the law will look after you. It will flow, just like it’s supposed to. It is up to us to keep it flowing. Blow on the embers to make it strong again.
Kuruwarri is the way everything flows. Like the ecosystem, it is something we are all part of. Our existence lies within Kuruwarri. We all have our own part to play. And so, we must take on the kurruwa that is handed to us. If we take up responsibility for our land, our story and our culture, it will shape our identity and look after us into the future.
We need to adapt to the seasons and maintain the flow of mother earth. Adapt to our challenges. Move forward together. Our Kurruwa/responsibility is what will shape the system into balance again. Like (the) Milpirri’s cold air forming and hot air rising we can make sense of adapting to each other. Then we become the rain, the nourishment for our home country.
Kurruwa (stone axe)
The stone axe, kurruwa, is a tool that requires great skill to master. It is essential to survival on country. It gives us respect ,discipline, justice and eventually gives us the understanding we need to survive on this great land. To be given the stone axe is to accept responsibility. If it falls into the wrong hands, our ability to hunt and make tools will be jeopardised.
Mardu (water carrier)
The mardu, water carrier, holds life-giving water. It holds that which nurtures us, nurtures the system of life itself. To carry the mardu is to shoulder responsibility. Without water, ngapa, we will not survive. If we have ngapa, we are rich.
Youth Song
Kuruwarri, We need it to survive, we need it to survive, we need it to survive
Everybody, everybody
Kuruwarri, Kuruwarri, Kuruwarri, Kuruwarri
Look after the law, Look after the law , And the law will look after you
Look after our culture , Look after our culture , It’s important for the future
We are responsible , We are responsible , For the stone-axe and the mardu
Kuruwarri, Kuruwarri, We need it to survive
Don’t let the water spoil,
Don’t let the axe fall
Into the wrong hands
Together we stand
Don’t let the water spoil,
Yo, don’t let the axe fall
Into the wrong hands
Now together we stand
Together, together, Together, together
We stand, we stand, We stand, we stand
Kuruwarri, We need it to survive
Kuruwarri, We need it to survive, survive, survive, we need it to survive
Kuruwarri, We need it to survive
Kuruwarri
We need it to survive, survive, survive, we need it to survive
Together, together, together, together
We stand, we stand
Together, together, We stand, we stand
Culture, Future, family, Forever
Everybody, Parnajuku, Stronger, Together
Kuruwarri, Responsibility, Responsibility
(we need it to survive, we need it to survive, we need it to survive)
Jupurrula, Jakamarra, Napurrula and Nakamarra (Red Group)
Themes: Justice
Law is like a road, laid out for us to follow. If we look to the milky way – Warntarri Tarri – its knowledge and guidance will steer us on the right path. If you do not follow the law, the law will follow you. You cannot escape it. Both the sky and the earth carry you. Ngurru Kanyi Kangu.
If we do wrong by the law, justice will be done. It may hurt us. But justice can make a wrong thing right, and make a bad thing good.
Mangurlpa (black-headed spear) and Ngalikirri (grinding stone)
This restorative process of justice is represented by the Mangurlpa – black-headed spear – and by the Ngalikirri – the grinding stone. As the spear dispenses its justice bringing in balance, the grinding stone winnows the bad from the good.
Righting wrongs. Shaping and restoring the balance.
Youth Song
Walking down the street And I saw a car
So I nicked the keys And I went real far
Driving with my friends Down the Tanami Track
An eagle swooped down And the windscreen cracked
Swerved off the road Now the battery’s flat
The brakes couldn’t work So we had to jump out
Walking through the bush To get back home
It’s getting real dark And we’re all alone
It’s getting really dark And we’re all alone. Real dark
It’s getting really dark I’m scared I’m scared
We’re scared It’s spooky Oh my goodness
It’s getting really dark
The law will follow you
No matter what you do
We’re coming to get ya
We’re coming to get ya
Cos you broke the law
No matter what you do
The law will follow you
Balance, balance, balance, balance
Come back to Lajamanu, manu, manu
Balance, balance, balance, balance
Follow the road, road, road
Forgiveness, forgive, forgive, forgive
Justice is done, is done, is done
Forgiveness, forgive, forgive, forgive
Harmony is restored
Japangardi, Japanangka, Napangardi and Napanangka (Green Group)
Themes: Discipline
Discipline is taking time to know, understand and follow the law. With discipline, our lives are full. We can keep our stories alive. We can help our country. With discipline, we are free.
We often see the effects of living an undisciplined life. We see lawless behaviour, and how it impacts our community. We see scars on the back of those who have been undisciplined. We wear scars on our chests to remind us of the importance of discipline.
Wulampi (stone knife)
In Warlpiri law, these scars are made by the Wulampi – the stone knife. But similar scars can be seen in other types of law. Prison is a scar, community service is a scar. The mental scars we bear are not always worn on our bodies, but they show devastating consequences like suicide.
Parraja (coolamon)
When a baby is first born, it is put in the Coolamon – called Parraja – where it is carried by its mother. For the first few weeks of its life, the child cannot be touched by its father while it is in the Coolamon. This is a test of discipline and also to not interrupt the sacred bond between mother and child.
If there is no discipline the consequences will be too big to handle.
By practicing discipline we gain strength and freedom.
Youth Song
Seek the wise one and the wise one said seek within you
I’m working
I’m a super listener, I’m the best listener
Learning Warlpiri ways, You won’t lose your way
Always learning more, Learning Yapa Law
I’m learning, I’m learning
My brain is expanding
Practice makes perfect
I’m getting really clever
We are listening YES WE ARE
We are learning YES WE ARE
We are working REALLY HARD We are practicing YES WE ARE
Ninja sounds
Learning Warlpiri ways You won’t lose your way
Always learning more Learning Yapa Law
Jinta, Jinta
Jirrima, Jirrima
Marnkurrpa, Marnkurrpa
Mirdi, Mirdi
Rdaka, Rdaka
Jika, Jika
Wirlki, Wirlki
Mangarta, Mangarta
Listen with your Langa, Look with your Milpa
Talk with your Lirra , Dance with your Wirliya
Learning Warlpiri ways,
You won’t lose your way
Always learning more
Learning Yapa Law
We are listening YES WE ARE
We are learning YES WE ARE We are working REALLY HARD We are practicing YES WE ARE
Pirltirrka palka-jarrija
Kunjuru-mani ka jaja-nyanurlu
Kunjururlu ka pirltirrka pirrjirdi-mani
Manngi-nyangka-jana ngati-nyanu kirda-nyanu
Manngi-nyangka nyuntu-nyangu nguru
Yapaku-kurlangu kuruwarri
Baby is born
Mother’s Mother smokes the baby
The baby is strong
Respect your parents
Respect your land
Walpiri culture”