|
Commentary by Stephen Page, Artistic Director and Choreographer
Boomerang is a celebration. It's about embracing and respecting
the creative principles that have given Bangarra its cultural
identity. It started with my desire, my personal hunger, to reaffirm
the influence of traditional song and dance on my work.
When you live in an urban environment you tend to romanticise
about having a traditional life, yet you remain far removed from
its realities. To truly reconnect with your cultural identity
it takes a journey of self-discovery. From this experience -
this exploration - comes the idea: let's turn this
passion into a production.
For the first 10-years of Bangarra's lifecycle, the contribution
of Djakapurra Munyarryun was a powerful inspiration: he knew where
he came from, he knew his homeland, he knew his language groups;
we respected him and embraced him as a cultural sounding board.
By collaborating once again with Djakapurra, I am really celebrating
the return of a deep traditional knowledge.
Djakapurra passes on to me his songs and stories and by doing
so he is saying, now you guide them, mould them into a fusion
of ancient and contemporary. We are essentially building bridges
to rejuvenate our identity and we are doing it in a very positive
way.
Back at his outstation in north-eastern Arnhem Land, Djakapurra
and his community conduct specific ceremonies, whether it's
for a death or an initiation. When he comes to Bangarra and collaborates
with me we are actually conducting another kind of ceremony. It's
much more stylised, it's more contemporary, but it explores
the same traditions. And that's quite surreal for Djakapurra
- that we can bring it to a mainstream level and maintain
its integrity.
Dancers: Djakapurra
Munyarryun
& Hunter Page-Lochard
Photo: Frances Lyonne |
Another significant element of Boomerang is the Child.
It is the Child who is left to reclaim the energy of the
past. It is the Child who will become the keeper of our
sacred customs.
I always knew that I would use a child for this work and
it just happens that it's my family. It's my
nephew and it's my son. For both boys it's a
very healthy experience, but for Rhimi it's especially
important. We will never let go of Russell - Rhimi's
father, my brother - his spirit will always be a part
of us. And for Rhimi that's a wonderful medicine.
To be a part of the world where his father's legacy
is rejoiced is a ceremony in itself.
|
Boomerang is comprised of three worlds: Water, Fire and Earth.
In the world of Water we incorporate the traditional songs Rain
Cloud, Manta Ray and Canoe. These are simple but extremely potent
ancient symbols. We celebrate the traditional relationship with
water and its essential value for hunting and survival.
The second world is a complex place. Fire is about the frustrations
that exist in rural communities. We confront social problems like
alcohol and suicide and expose their corrupting effect on cultural
identity. But as we leave Fire and enter Earth we are cleansed
once more. We dance the songs back into the land, releasing our
dreaming and spirit back into the world.
So essentially this work goes full circle, it's a boomerang
effect of leaving and coming back. And as we embark on this journey
we are experimenting, renewing, revitalising, and ultimately,
we are keeping our traditional homelands alive.
Stephen Page
back to top
| 
