Community Arts
The Zugubaw Thithuyil Dance Troupe perform traditional Island dances based on cultural legends and traditions from Saibai Island, in the Torres Strait. Based in Seisia, they retell the story of their ancestors journey from Saibai Island to the mainland. Their fearsome costumes imitate the traditional warrior dress of their ancestors and war paint depicts the individual's totem. |
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Injinoo's extraordinary dance troupe perform dances that relive Gudang cultural practices and share stories of animal Dreaming. With dancers both young and old, they continue to pass down their culture down through each generation. They have been recognised for their great skill, performing at CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2010, Laura Festival '10, '09 and '07 as well as Cardwell Festival ' 09, Caboolture Dreaming Festival and Woodford Festival '05 and many other venues. You can view the Injinoo dancers performing at Injinoo Point, Cowal Creek here. |
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Combining traditional dance, costume and music to contemporary ideas, the Berlibal Dance troupe is known for their breathtaking and unique performances. A mix of men and women of all ages, Their dances tell the stories of the journey from Saibai Island to the mainland and depict cultural legends. You can view the dancers performing here. |
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Exploring the journey from Old Mapoon through dreamtime stories with a contemporary twist, the New Mapoon Dance Troupe are known for their linear storytelling, expressing hunting and cultural stories though traditional dance. "People watching can identify with the stories told, from spearing fish to searching for sugar bag," choreographer Johnny Mark explains. The New Mapoon Dance Troupe encourage community participation and education, with a no school, no dance policy.
Flagship dance troupe Naygayiw Gigi or 'Northern Thunder' hails from Bamaga, the northernmost town in Queensland. Established in March 2015, the troupe is committed to the revitalisation of the cultures of Bamaga and Seisia Saibailgal in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland. The troupe aims to preserve the culture's strong dancing traditions and nurture a new generation of performers and cultural practitioners by sharing dances, stories and songs with audiences throughout Australia and the world. Traditional dance is the focal point of Naygayiw Gigi's holistic approach aimed at addressing the rapid decline of the Torres Strait and Saibailgaw culture. The continued practice of the strong dancing tradition nurtures a new generation of performers and cultural practitioners. The medium of dance encompasses all cultural elements. Children are taught dances, songs, stories, language, arts and crafts, customs and traditions, marine craft, genealogies, ecology and astronomy.
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