Watbalimba : language of song, story and dance

This thesis is about cultural awareness and Aboriginal education. Over the years I have noticed that Aboriginal people in Victoria recognise that our culture is in danger of becoming lost. From the cultural knowledge that has been handed down by the Elders, and by talking to people around the country, I realised the need for Watbalimba. Watbalimba is a holistic method of teaching and learning culture through the language of song, story and dance. Being influenced with language from my grandfather has set me off on a journey to look deeper into the language. I did this by talking to a lot of Aboriginal people, looking at archives and analysing linguistic material. Throughout this growing knowledge I began playing contemporary music within a band, and then at Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music at Adelaide University, I realised it would be better to be learning Aboriginal cultural music. This is when the Watbalimba Dance Group began. I soon realised this is a holistic Aboriginal teaching method, through the language of song, story and dance, which began with our Ancestors.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this material contains images and names of people now deceased.

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