Widi's dhapi' - initiation ceremony - Galiwinku, Elcho Island, 2009

Описание: I was commissioned by families to film this initiation ceremony (dhapi') at Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island, earlier in the year (2009).

The occasion was the initiation of young boys, including 'Widi', son of Selma Guykarri and Henry Mirarra'. Widi can be seen in another of my YouTube clips playing yirdaki as a 6 year old:

   • 'Widi' or Isaiah Barrakawuy, 6 year old yi...  

Prominent participants and leaders in this ceremony include Charlie Matjuwi (singer), Terrence Gaypalani (artist and djunggaya), Brendan Ganambarr (djunggaya and doctor - the person who 'cuts' the dhapi'), Carl Ngalkanbuy (yirdaki player, notice his change in shirt!), and others. The two singing groups are Burarrwanga Gumatj and Wangurri. The best yirdaki in this ceremony was the instrument with black and red duct tape, the personal instrument of Dhapan Yunupingu used by the Wangurri singing group.

For YouTube purposes, this video has been heavily edited to keep the clip under 10 minutes (filming started in the morning and ended in the evening), hence the frequent cuts and transitions. Also, the end part of the ceremony cannot be shown publicly, it is men's business, sorry.