Kimberley almost ready for arts festival

Preparations for the Mowanjum Festival are fully underway with totems and giant puppets being created in the studio and on the verandah at Mowanjum Art Centre in Derby.

Now in its 26th year, the Mowanjum Festival will once again celebrate the vibrant living culture of the Ngarinyin, Worrora and Wunambal peoples.

On July 11 the Mowanjum Arts Centre in Derby will be transformed into a stage host dancing, singing and performers from throughout the region in the delivery of unique storytelling experiences through Junba (traditional song and dance), puppetry and fashion.

Visitors will have the opportunity to watch or participate in traditional practices such as ochre painting, spear throwing and boab nut carving.

And as the sun goes down performers will be taking centre stage in the sharing of stories showcasing traditional body painting and totems. Giant puppets, led by Mowanjum community members, will transport the audience into another time as they re-create the ‘Windangin Di’ (campfire) story.

As the Mowanjum artists’ inaugural fashion parade at KAFTA has opened up a new avenue of design for the community, a fashion parade will also be included as part of this years’ lineup.
A Kimberley experience not to be missed this dry season.

Mowanjum Artist Kirsty Burgu’s work ‘Reconciliation,’ has been chosen to feature in the Reconciliation Action Plan of the Government of Western Australia Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.