Celebrations of Tiwi Elders & language

Tiwi Elders throughout the years have been advocating for young people to value and respect the Tiwi language.

This year’s storytelling programs being aligned with the 2023 NAIDOC theme ‘For Our Elders’ was met with enthusiasm from young people. Two powerful songs were created and sung in a mix of Tiwi language and English that each recognised the importance of Elders and their contribution to keeping Tiwi language and culture strong.

Two high schools, two songs, joint launch, one theme, one people- “For Our Elders”.

India Alimankinni, Miriam Puruntatameri and Roberta Cunningham

Creating the music videos
Students of Tiwi College and Xavier College with teaching staff, community members and Red Dust crews skillfully brainstormed, and developed lyrics and beats, that were recorded while a music video was storyboarded and produced with young people at centre stage. Each video reflected the powerful messages that young people created around strengthening identity and showcasing Tiwi Culture to the wider world with pride through captivating visuals and lyrical storytelling.

Watch the music videos and read the lyrics below.

Paparluwi Parlingarri

Parlingarri paparluwi putuwurupura
nginingawula Tiwi ngirramini

Kapi ngawa-ampi amintiya ngawa maninguwi
purumuwu awungarra  
ngawulayapunyanyimi awuta warranguwi  
kapi ngawa tangarima / kapi ngawa tangarima

When I was little, I grew up in a small community  
Called Wurrumiyanga  ‍

Surrounded by family and friends  
Going for walks down the beach
(Tiwi Islands, Tiwi Islands)

Fishing and hunting with Elders  
Camping out on Country  
(Tiwi Islands, Tiwi Islands)

See the old people singing and dancing in ceremony
Made me want to become a strong Tiwi leader

Kapi ngawa ampi purumuwu  
awungarra parlingarri
(Tiwi Islands, Tiwi Islands)

Parlingarri paparluwi putuwurupura
nginingawula Tiwi ngirramini‍

Kapi ngawa-ampi amintiya ngawa maninguwi
purumuwu awungarra  
ngawulayapunyanyimi awuta warranguwi  
kapi ngawa tangarima / kapi ngawa tangarima

Now I am a teenager
I’m passing knowledge onto the next generation
teaching young ones culture, dancing and language
nginingawula ngirramini  
Ngampangiraga ngampangiraga , ngampangiraga‍

Come and follow me
I can take you across the sea
I provide all the food for my family

Sittin’ round the fire with the wulimawi
Telling stories from parlingarrI‍

For you, for me
Together we are Tiwi

Parlingarri paparluwi putuwurupura
nginingawula Tiwi ngirramini

Kapi ngawa-ampi amintiya ngawa maninguwi
purumuwu awungarra  
ngawulayapunyanyimi awuta warranguwi  
kapi ngawa tangarima / kapi ngawa tangarima

It’s a kind of life that goes on and on
40,000 years too long  
It’s been passed down from generation till now
Our culture (is strong)
Our language (lives on)‍

Kapi ngawa ampi purumuwu  
awungarra parlingarri
(Tiwi Islands, Tiwi Islands)

Parlingarri paparluwi putuwurupura
nginingawula Tiwi ngirramini
Parlingarri paparluwi putuwupura
nginingawula Tiwi ngirramini

Kapi ngawa-ampi amintiya ngawa maninguwi
purumuwu  awungarra  

kapi ngawa tangarima
kapi ngawa tangarima

‍

Nginingawula Ngirramini – a dedication to our Tiwi Elders

My country comes from the place my dad belongs
On my fathers’ side, where my totem’s from
Where it feels like home
Where I feel at peace.
When my time has come
- set my spirit free

Tiwi tribes, strong in our culture
Carry the songs past down from the elders
Yimpinari, pumpuni japinari
Kapi Malawu yartijangini  

Ngawa-ampi nga maniguwi wuta
Pirri-minu waluwa
Nginingawula Ngirramini
Nginingawula Ngirramini

Pili-awarra ngawurraningurumangi
Ngini nuka nginti mata ngili parra
Kapi ngawampi
Amintiya ngaw a ngintinirimi
Wantirrana ngirramini Nginingampangira

Tiwi culture we be keeping it strong
Got my elders there, we’ll be singing along
My elders, they’re my inspiration,
Teaching us knowledge for the next generation

Ngawa awungarra turrampila ngamirri ngunjupunji ngayamirratigiyi
Ngawa awungarra turrampila ngamirri ngunjupunji ngaya mirratigiyi

‍Ngawa-ampi nga maniguwi wuta
Pirri-minu waluwa
Nginingawula Ngirramini
Nginingawula Ngirramini

‍

The music videos are a celebration of community, history and learning and will be on repeat- reinforcing the importance of keeping the Tiwi language strong and respecting the Elders who hold and share their knowledge.

Behind the scenes of making the Red Dust music video

“The kids are loving it, it’s creating a completely different vibe in the school.”

- Teacher, Xavier College  

Are you ready to be part of the story that maintains connection to Country?

With your support, we can continue to give young people opportunities to learn from their Elders on Country — the best place to learn about their own culture.