Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

Australia Day is next week. The date is controversial, divisive. The date for Australia Day was chosen mid last century at a time when First Australians were not permitted to vote. This option was specifically granted to First Australians in 1962.

Today I have chosen a performance by Ngiyampaa, Yuin, Bandjalang and Gumbangirr artist, Eric Avery. Mr Avery is accompanied by his father, Graham King. Sung in the Nyaampa language, Wirrangintungiyil is a healing lullaby that Mr Avery learnt from recordings by the King family.

And finally, readers would be aware that Tonga, with a population of approximately 100,000 people spread across many islands, has been pummeled by a massive eruption of an undersea volcano and subsequent tsunami. The Tongan government estimates that up to 80% of the population has been badly affected by the disaster. An international relief effort is now underway. Donations to the relief effort can be made via the Red Cross. I am heartbroken for the Tongan people and hope the Australian community will continue to support you through difficult times, now and in the future.

Let’s heal together.

Take care, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

References:
Ron Sutton, Myths Persist About the 1967 Referendum, SBS, 2014

18 thoughts on “Healing Together”

  1. A very haunting sound (and song). Unusual to hear the didgeridoo and violin together, but they work surprisingly well.

    Yes, it’s very sad to see the devastation on the ground in Tonga and its surroundings. I cannot begin to imagine how frightening it must have been when the eruption and tsunami occurred. I hope that there’s a chance of recovery. The YouTube I saw this afternoon looked horrific.

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  7. Thank you for sharing that music, Tracy. I found it most unusual and beautiful: the traditional words with the accompanying violin music that almost sounds Arabic. It was fascinating to listen to.
    The situation in Tonga is truly awful, as if rising sea levels are not enough to deal with already.

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  8. A beautiful, unusual combination – I am not familiar with this culture and find it fascinating, soothing yet a little unsettling. Sending good thoughts for healing in Tonga, a horrible situation.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. First Australians have a fascinating, long-lived, rich culture. There has been a long lasting trauma too, attemoted physical and cultural genocide, stolen lands and children. Let’s hope we can truly be one one day.
      Covid is making the provision of emergency aid to the people of Tonga quite difficult. At least, the Tongans are maintaining control of that process.

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