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Sacred songs animated for future generations

28 May 2008

Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney

Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney's project will see the animation of over 400 kilometres of song lines and 26 stories from the Yanyuwa people.

Monash researchers are animating the stories of the Northern Territory's Yanyuwa people in an effort to preserve their language and traditions for future generations.

Dr John Bradley and Dr Amanda Kearney from the University's Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies are working on animating over 400 kilometres of song lines and 26 stories from Aboriginal elders in the community.

The animation of the first song line, a Manankurra verse commonly used in public ceremonies, has been completed and tested amongst the elders who have given it their seal of approval. 

Funding of A$25,000 has also been secured from the Sidney Myer Foundation for a further five animations.

Dr Bradley said Indigenous languages like the Yanyuwa were dying at an alarming rate taking with them enormous amounts of knowledge.

"Thirty years ago there were close to 230 people who spoke the language," Dr Bradley said. "Today there are about five women and four men capable of speaking the language as their first language.

"Song lines are like a title deed to country; if you know the sacred song of your country then ownership is without doubt.

"For many of these elders, these animations are about a will and testament left in a form that future generations can access."

"Every detail is significant to the elders, from things like the bubbles rising from the bundle of cycad food in a river to the colour of the stingray. These help to distinguish the Yanyuwa from other clans in the area."

Dr Kearney said the research would determine whether cross generational transfer of knowledge could take place through the use of animation. She said the research also aimed to engage the Yanyuwa people and increase their awareness of other forms of technology.

"The Yanyuwa elders are very progressive in their willingness to maintain cultural continuity using modern day media," Dr Kearney said.

"They realise that to try and teach the language to young people using traditional methods would be like teaching them French or German.

"These animations will convey information critical to the development of Yanyuwa youth, including their identity and role in their family and country."

Dr Bradley has worked with the Yanyuwa community for thirty years, creating a dictionary, website and atlas in an effort to help preserve the culture of the community. Dr Kearney has worked with the community for the last seven years in the areas of emotional geography and intangible cultural heritage.