Ramingining is around 600 kms east of Darwin in Arnhem Land. The road in is dirt for the last 300 kms and
driving there entails crossing the East Alligator River The population is approximately 750
including seven homeland centres. The main tribal and clan groups are Dhuwa:
Djambarrpuyngu, Djinang, Liyagalawumirr, Liyagawumirr, Manarrngu and Wakilak.
Yirritja tribes are Gupapuyngu, Ganalbinygu, Mildjingi and Rittarngu. Ramingining is the place that Rolf De Heer
filmed the movie 10 Canoes narrated by David Gulpilil.
CANOES Projects
“Ten Canoes, three wives, one hundred and fifty
spears….trouble”
"Ahh, you gotta see this story of
mine cause it'll make you laugh, even if you're not a blackfella. Might cry a
bit too eh? But then you laugh some more...coz this story is a big true story
of my people. True thing..."
TEN CANOES is a ground-breaking glimpse
into aboriginal life centuries before European settlement. Shot in and around
the Arafura Wetlands of Central Arnhem Land with the people of Ramingining.
The
success of 10 Canoes inspired eight follow on projects for the people and
community of Ramingining including the web based
multi media project 12 Canoes
For
more information about the ‘Canoe’ projects click here
Bula'bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation
Bula'bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation is renowned
for its
paintings n bark and on canvas, hollow logs fibre art such
as baskets,
mats, dilly bags and limited edition prints on paper.
The Bak’bididi Festival is a cultural event showcasing the artistic, musical and sporting talent of Yolngu people in communities in East Arnhem Land.
Included in the Festival program is the art Competition displaying contemporary visual, fine art, the sports comp and 3 nights of great music from local Indigenous bands. As well as this the kids of Ramingining present their award winning short films. Film-making plays an important role at Ramingining CEC where the students have won three Awards in the 2008 ‘Connecting through Film’ Festival awards held in Darwin.
The film Connection Kids won the prestigious award for Most Outstanding Film and the Best Film for Year 7-9. Produced by Year 8/9 students, the film is about a bored, lonely student who wants to get connected with friends and party so they won’t be lonely anymore.
Student film-maker Lloyd said, ‘We had fun making the movie. We enjoyed being able to
communicate in Yolngu Matha so we can keep our own language and culture strong but also, by using English subtitles in the film, we were able to learn more English and get to know more about Balanda culture.” Mobile phones are a big part of Ramingining life. Most people use them to organise their lives. Everyone is so nomadic out here that ringing around can save you a lot of walking. So the film explored connection by mobile phone with other ideas of connection also incorporated. This film features the song ‘Lonely Boy’ performed and written by Ramingining’s own Dipina Band.
The Film Yaka nhumul won the award for Best Non-English Speaking Film.
The film is loosely based around the song Yaka nhumul petrol by Elcho Island’s ‘Black Stone Band’. It tells the story of a young boy in danger of going off the rails because of his petrol sniffing. His friends try to encourage him and health workers warn him of the terrible effects of sniffing. The main character ends up in jail but is saved by the lyrics of ‘Yaka nhumul petrol’ which his friends play for him as a request on their weekly radio program. Year 12 student Shannon, said, “We are proud we have won an award at the Film Festival, and we hope that young Indigenous people will listen to and learn from the message of our film”.
