Jandamarra

A Kimberley story that speaks to everyone

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Jandamarra at the Opera House

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Selected scenes from the July 2011 performance at Windjana Gorge, with audio






Highlights of the July 2011 performance at Windjana Gorge set to Paul Kelly performing his Jandamarra song.






View 5 minutes of highlights from the ABC Artists At Work documentary about the 2008 production, broadcast 10th & 17th June 2008.




Bunuba Country

Bandilngan nhingi Jumburrurru biliga Gunbi ganinyi rawurra. Windjana Gorge (Bandilngan) in the foreground, Jumburru country in the middle, and Mount Broome (Gunbi) in the distance. (Maria Mann) Jiyindirri Nhi Muwayi. The country at Six Mile (Jiyindirri) (Robert Koenig-Luck) Baraah Muwayi. Tunnel Creek (Robert Koenig-Luck) Baraah Muwayi. Tunnel Creek - South entrance (Robert Koenig-Luck) Baraah Muwayi, biliga Tunnel Creek - Middle Entrance (Robert Koenig-Luck) Bandilngan Windjana Gorge (Maria Mann) Biyayi Ganimbiri Nhi Muwayi The Oscar Range (Ganimbiri) at 12 Mile (Biyayi) (Robert Koenig-Luck) Biyayi Nhi Muwayi The country at 12 Mile (Biyayi) (Robert Koenig-Luck) Miluwindi Ganbarra warri nhingi The King Leopold Ranges from the black soil plains (Maria Mann) Bandilngan Windjana Gorge (Steve Hawke) Galay Biyayi-yuwa Sunset at 12 Mile (Biyayi) (Robert Koenig-Luck)

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Windjana Gorge Performance, July 2011

Cast and crew on opening day. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Backstage; Margaret Mills and Emmanuel Brown Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Backstage; Mark Coles Smith, Kristin Andrews, Kelton Pell Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Dillon Andrews and June Oscar welcome the audience. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Danny Marr (Dibinarra) top, begins the play. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Patsy Bedford (Jini) and Kristin Andrews (the Singer). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Bunuba debate what to do about the arrival of the whitefellers. Kelton Pell (Marralam), Danny Marr (Dibinarra) top, Emmanuel Brown (Yilimarra), Patsy Bedford (Jini). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films First contact. Margaret Mills (Mary), Cody Fern (Lindsay) and Steve Turner (Joe), in front of a Kaylene Marr animation. Patsy Bedford (Jini) watching. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Bunuba prisoners are brought in to Lillimooloora on the chain. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Bunuba prisoners are brought in to Lillimooloora on the chain. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Cody Fern (Lindsay) and Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) at Bululu, represented by a Kaylene Marr cockatoo animation. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) hears the Yilimbirri Unggud. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Windjana cliffs glow red as Yilimbirri Unggud roars. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra reveals the words the snake has spoken. LtoR: Kevin Spratt (Ilaji), Mark Coles Smith (Darudi), Danny Marr (Dibinarra), Emmanuel Brown (Yilimarra), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Trevor Ryan. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films A police raid interrupts Jandamarra's initiation. Cody Fern (trooper), Emmanuel Brown (Yilimarra), Kevin Spratt (Ilaji), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra's first encounter with Mingo Mick. Patsy Bedford (Jini), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Trevor Ryan (Mingo Mick). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra visits Lindsay's grave on his return to Lilimooloora. Damion Hunter (Jandamarra). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) and Peter Docker (Richardson) at Bululu. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Peter Docker (Richardson) and Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) at Bululu. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Conflict in the Bunuba camp. Jandamarra has slept with Marralam's wife. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) returns to Lilimooloora and throws his lot in with Peter Docker (Richardson). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Peter Docker (Richardson) dubs Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) Kaylene Marr's fire animation lights up the set. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) and Peter Docker (Richardson). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Peter Docker (Richardson) and Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) with Bunuba prisoners on the chain. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Bunuba prisoners sing, ignoring Peter Docker (Richardson). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The prisoners are led back to Lilimooloora, still singing. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie) offers water to prisoners singing on the chain; Kelton Pell (Marralam), Trevor Ryan, Kristin Andrews, Kevin Spratt (Ilaji), Emmanuel Brown (Yilimarra) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie) is chased off stage by Peter Docker (Richardson). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) shoots his mate Peter Docker (Richardson), bringing the first act to a close. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The stage and the Windjana cliffs at interval. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Bunuba ambush the cattlemen at Windjana Gorge; right where it really happened. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie) follows Damion Hunter's (Jandamarra's) lead and shoots a stockman. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra tells Georgie the Bunuba people are reclaiming their country LtoR: Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie), Kelton Pell (Marralam), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Emmanuel Brown (Yilimarra), Mark Coles Smith (Georgie) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Peter Docker (Alexander Forrest) addresses the Parliament; Kevin Spratt as the Speaker Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Margaret Mills (Mary) pleads with Steve Turner (Joe) not to take part in the looming battle. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The battle of Windjana Gorge is about to begin. Patsy Bedford (Jini) narrates as troopers and warriors take up their positions. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) grieves at the death of Yilimarra. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The battle of Windjana Gorge. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Kevin Spratt (Ilaji) and Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie) settle a comatose Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) in Tunnel Creek after the battle of Windjana Gorge. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie), Kelton Pell (Marralam), Steve Turner (Joe). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Patsy Bedford (Jini) and Kelton Pell (Marralam) tell of the massacres that followed the battle at Windjana Gorge. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Yilimbirri Unggud rouses Jandamarra from his coma, calling Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) listens to the spirits. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Kelton Pell (Marralam) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra accepts his power as a Jalgangurru; a man of power. Danny Marr (Dibinarra), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Kelton Pell (Marralam) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) confronts Steve Turner (Joe Bligh). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra announces he is going to Iminyji to seek out Yilmbirri Unggud. Kelton Pell (Marralam), Danny Marr (Dibinarra), Kristin Andrews (Singer), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Kevin Spratt (Ilaji). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Trevor Ryan (Mingo Mick). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films At Iminyji, Yilimbirri Unggud speaks to Jandamarra again. Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Kristin Andrews (the Singer),. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Margaret Mills (Mary) watches as Steve Turner (Joe) heads off for the climactic confrontation. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Jandamarra calls Yilimbirri Unggud home. Margaret Mills (Mary), Steve Turner (Joe), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Trevor Ryan (Mingo Mick). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Yilimbirri Unggud returns; the country is healed. Steve Turner (Joe), Margaret Mills (Mary), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra), Trevor Ryan (Mingo Mick) Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films A pregnant Mayannie pleads with Jandamarra to flee to the hills with her. Patsy Bedford (Jini), Danny Marr (Dibinarra), Sandra Umbagai-Clarke (Mayannie), Damion Hunter (Jandamarra). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Damion Hunter (Jandamarra) and Steve Turner (Joe) shoot each other. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Bunuba prisoners are led off to gaol. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Trevor Ryan (Mingo Mick) delivers the shot that finally kills Damion Hunter (Jandamarra). Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Windjana cliffs are bathed in red as Jandamarra's animated spirit flies free. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The Windjana cliffs glow red and the snake spirit breathes as the final lament is sung. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films The full cast dance the Yilimbirri Junba to close the show. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films Windjana Gorge after the show. Jandamarra; Windjana Gorge, 22 July 2011. Photo by Matt Scurfield; © Bunuba Films

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Perth 2008 Production (All images by Gary Marsh for Black Swan State Theatre Company)

Jimi Bani (Jandamarra), Danny Marr (Dibinarra), Tony Briggs (Yilimarra) Simon Clarke (Richardson), Jimi Bani (Jandamarra) Margaret Mills (Mary), Ningali Lawford-Wolf (Jini) Jimi Bani (Jandamarra), Kelton Pell (Marralum) Geoff Kelso (Joe Bligh) Jimi Bani (Jandamarra) Jimi Bani (Jandamarra) Kelton Pell (Marralum) Kevin Spratt (Darudi), Kelton Pell (Marralum) Emmanuel Brown (Ilaji) Jimi Bani (Jandamarra), Tony Briggs (Yilimarra) Cast and Crew

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Workshops

Script Readings Fitzroy Crossing, April 2007. L to R: Mona Oscar, Percy Middleton, Patsy Bedford, Adrian Fletcher, Larry Green (obs) Translation work, Fitzroy Crossing, December 2007; L to R: Mona Oscar, Patsy Bedford, June Oscar Art & Animation Workshop Fitzroy Crossing, March 2007. Animator Clancie Shorter and Fitzroy kids at the Kimberley Language Resource Centre Music Workshop, Fitzroy Crossing, March 2007. The Yilimbirri singers led by George Brooking, with Paul Kelly Music Workshop, Fitzroy Crossing, March 2007. June Oscar, Paul Kelly and Patrick Davies Bunuba Language Workshop, September 2007. June Oscar, Kelton Pell, Jimi Bani, Kevin Spratt Bunuba Language Workshop, September 2007. June Oscar, Kelton Pell, Jimi Bani, Kevin Spratt Bunuba Language Workshop, September 2007. Bunuba Language Workshop, September 2007. Cast members with elder Mona Oscar. Bunuba Language Workshop, September 2007. Tony Briggs, Kelton Pell, Dennis Simmons at Limalurru. Development Workshop, Fremantle, July 2009. Director Phil Thomson & cast. Development Workshop, Fremantle, July 2009. Peter Docker, Ian Michael, Jimi Bani, June Oscar Development Workshop, Fremantle, July 2009. Ian Michael, Phil Thomson with new animation drawings by Kaylene Marr


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George Brooking, singing at the Perth 2008 production:

Verses from the Yilimbirri Junba:

Winyjiwi (1 min 17 sec)


Walambayiya (0 min 51 sec)


Gululu (0 min 57 sec)


Unggud Bila Wila (3 min 17 sec)



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