Translated into English from Dharug language, Garriagarrang means salt water and Badu means fresh water. The fairy lit dance spectacular has been choreographed by Peta Strachan who is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Jannawi Dance Clan. Jannawi means with me, with you, and the dance collective is a First Nations intergenerational group based in Western Sydney. They centre on Indigenous storytelling through dance and performance, embodied language revitalisation, traditional movement and new forms.
The Jannawi Dance Clan dancers are all women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations across the continent, and for over the years they have been coming together in large-scale celebrations of Dharug Country – the land on which they now live, dance and create. During Strachan’s career she has danced with Bangarra, performed for the 2000 Sydney Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and has performed around the country for 35 years, and as well as founding one of the most renowned matriarchal dance clans, she freelances as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and costume maker.
Garriagarrang Badu weaves together not only the waters, but the traditional and the contemporary, with an exhilarating soundtrack enhancing the powerful movements and the magical lighting. The show tells the story of the Dharug nation, which spans from the mountains to the sea. It shows women living their lives, interweaving themselves harmoniously not only with their community, but also the land waters and sky. The dancing lightscape and repetition of the dancers gives Garriagarrang Badu a hypnotic quality.
As the first full-length dance work performed entirely in the revitalised Dharug language, it is a significant act of cultural continuation, honouring Dharug Country, ancestors, and the vital role of women. It’s also a significant milestone for the Jannawi Dance Clan and Peta Strachan. Strachan has said that learning to sing in Dharug has made the clans spirits stronger.Â
Garrigarrang Badu had its first development outing during Sydney Festival 2023, making its premiere at that years ‘Dyin Nura’ (women’s place). The song cycle was written and composed by Songwoman DYAGULA in collaboration with Damien Robinson from Wicked Beats with contributions from the late Richard Green and Matthew Doyle under the guidance of Dharug Elders, Aunty Julie, Peta Strachan, and community knowledge holders.
The cosmic backdrops added to the sense that the show is about the past and the future. The deeper narrative about living alongside the natural world rather than in conflict with it, is gaining traction in the traditionally somewhat hostile worlds of space and tech. Research into physics and natural sciences shows us that old knowledge can be new and new knowledge can be old. The dance is trying to tell us this for the sake of all our collective futures, with some beautiful music and fantastic moves!
