Warlpiri Ceremonial Dancers
Lajamanu Yawulyu ceremonial women, and Pulapa senior men
In 1988 Tim Newth and Sarah Calver toured to Lajamanu as part of a Corrugated Iron Youth Theatre playwright tour. This is where the Lajamanu Yawulyu women first wanted to perform for them. The performing group stayed an extra day to accommodate this. This was the beginning of a long term relationship that continues to this day.
The women have always guided and supported the youth projects taking place in Lajamanu and Darwin. They have also performed in many Tracks shows, notably Lajamanu Kurra Karna Yani, the Fierce projects, Lipstick and Ochre, and The Cook, the Queen and the Kelly.
Milpirri
A particular relationship was also formed with a family with the European last name of Patrick. Tim began a strong artistic relationship with Freddy Janagala Patrick (dec.), a very senior lawman, in 1989. The senior men of this family were the owners of the Ngapa Jukurrpa (Rainstorm Dreaming) and the knowledge held within this Jukurrpa has guided much of our work, especially since 1996. Once the Millpirri projects began in 2005 the Yawulyu women have been key artists, ensuring the traditional women’s dancing is ready, and the Senior male Elders ensure the content is still connected to law and culture.
The work through Lajamanu has led to working with Indigenous elders in other communities, namely: Groote Eylandt Residency - Wild Things (1997), Yipirinya School - From Little Things Big Things Grow (1992) and After The Rain (1995), Tiwi Island - Kukanarri Show (1998) and Olympic Flame (2000), and in Alice Springs - Janganpa (2003)
