Malandarri Festival
The costumes are coming together and dancers are preparing for the annual Malandarri Festival in Borroloola.
A unique community based event, presented by Artback NT and the community of Borroloola, the festival celebrates the traditional and contemporary art and culture of the four clan groups in Borroloola – the Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gurdanji and Mara people.
Festival director Marlene Timothy says there is a buzz in the community as everyone prepares for the big weekend.
“This year’s Malandarri Festival is exciting, as always,” she says.
“Everyone looks forward every year to the community coming together to showcase our culture and perform our traditional dance and song.
“There’s a growing buzz right now in Borroloola, especially for the young ones who are getting their costumes together and practising their dance.”
The festivities kick off with a special appearance by the all-female NT Indigenous music showcase Divas on Tour, featuring Donna Velia, Kirra Voller, Lynetter Hubbard and Shana Ray from Music NT’s Divas program.
Dance groups from across the NT will head to the remote community to kick up a storm and join in with all the usual fun, including a school parade, marketplace, workshops, art, traditional food and kids activities.
Fri 15 Jun, 5.30pm | Sat 16 Jun, 2pm | Borroloola Showgrounds | See the event listing
Image: Mara dancers open the 2017 Malandarri Festival, Borroloola; image by Benjamin Warlngundu Bayliss
