Golden Nuggett
Language is an incredibly important element in keeping culture and connection strong. It is truly treasured, and requires preservation. There are more than 250 Indigenous languages in Australia, each unique and specific to place and the people within them.
By Tierney Seccull
Stuart Joel Nugget (Stu) is a Jingili man from Kulumindini, aka Elliott – a small town on the Stuart Highway that is pretty well smack bang in the middle of Darwin and Alice Springs. He sings in both English and Jingulu, the language of the Jinigli people from the Elliott area, his family some of the last speakers of the language.
These days based in Alice Springs/ Mparntwe, Stu is hitting the road on a tour of the Territory to present The Jingili Song Project. With a series of gigs and workshops, from the Top End to the desert, Stu says being able to sing in his language is very special to him.
“Language is important to Aboriginal people because language is one of lifeblood that connects us to land, culture, Country,” he says.
“I never speak my language when I was younger. To say and sing my language when I’m older now is a blessing, and I love to teach younger ones ... It means a lot that my mother teaching me Jingili, and that opportunity while she's still with us.”
Joining Stu on the road, as band member and tour manager, is good mate David Garnham with his band The Reasons to Live. He says the project is all Stu’s vision.
“Stu’s been wanting to do this for a few years now … He’s got a very strong relationship with his mother Janet Sandy, who has always pushed him to use the Jingili language,” he says.
“The tour aspect of The Jingili Song Project is one thing, but really, the flagship event is having a three-day workshop series in Elliott working with local mob to write more songs in language. And we’re doing some workshops in schools around the NT as well.”
Stu says he’s keen to return to his home soil, and to take the show on the road.
“To perform in Kulumindini is so special, and to be speaking my language back to Country and see people’s faces so happy to hear that our language is not gone yet,” he says.
“And to tour the NT is the greatest feeling ever. As a musician to perform to different tribes, different nationalities, and catching up with friends and family on the road is a great life.”
Grab a ticket to see this wonderful storyteller, and embrace the opportunity to celebrate the Jingulu language in a town near you. We really owe it to artists like Stu, to throw our support behind them and help keep language alive.
The Jingili Song Project
Darwin
WHEN SAT 1 APR | 8-10.30PM
AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
COST $10-$25
Katherine
WHEN THU 6 APR | 7-9PM
AT GYRACC
COST $10-$25
Mataranka
WHEN FRI 7 APR | 6-8.30PM
AT TERRITORY MANOR
COST FREE
Daly Waters
WHEN SAT 8 & SUN 9 APR | 6-8PM
AT HI-WAY INN
COST FREE
Tennant Creek
WHEN FRI 14 APR | 8.30-11.30PM
AT TENNANT CREEK MEMORIAL CLUB
COST FREE
Alice Springs
WHEN SAT 15 APR | 7.30-10.30PM
AT EPILOUGE LOUNGE
COST FREE
WHEN SUN 16 APR | 12-2PM
AT OORAMINNA STATION HOMESTEAD
COST FREE
