Sing our Country with Love - Kiwirrkurra Kungkas

Added by Red Dust Role Models

Description The Red Dust Strong Young Women’s Program: Kiwirrkurra 13th Sept 2023

The Kungkas in Kiwirrkurra have never had the opportunity to write and record their own song and produce a video.

With the 40th anniversary of the Kiwirrkurra Community happening in 2024, the kungkas were keen to have their voices heard amongst the celebrations and draw attention to their experiences and love of country.

With this in mind, local kungkas Jinika, Joan, Derica, Janita, Eldisha, Ninega, Gabriella, Fatima, Glenys and Saunders, met with Pintupi woman Jodie, Red Dust SYW coordinator Jessie, Red Dust’s videographer Wheeler and Realtone’s Steve to write their song and plan their video.
All the kungkas were keen to sing up their country.

Thanks to Julian and the team at Tjamu Tjamu PBC for the accommodation, use of the troopy, organising the space to record, and generous support for the project.

Filmed on Pintupi country with permission.

SING OUR COUNTRY WITH LOVE

Verse 1
We walk at sunset every afternoon
The red rocks glow, across the sand dunes
Yarning stories of the land
Until the night comes again

Chorus:
Ngurra nganampa, tali ngururrpa
Kanyini Kiwirrkurra nya
Ngurra nganampa, tali ngururrpa
Kanyini Kiwirrkurra nya
Tjamu ku, kapili ku
Kanyila ngurra
Tjamu ku, kapili ku
Kanyila ngurra
Palyinanku

Verse 2:
Now we sit by the fire together
As our people have done forever
Watch the milky way stars above
Sing our country with love


Verse vocals: Joan (verses 1 & 2) Niningka: (verse 2)
Chorus vocals: Jinika, Joan, Derica, Janita, Eldisha, Niningka, Gabriella, Fatima, Glenys and Saunders
Keyboard: Jinika
Drums: Christopher Tolsen
(drums recorded in the Red Dust Office… thanks to Christopher for recording drums for the Kungkas)

Technical Details:
Strong Young Women’s Program Coordinator: Jessie Bartlett
Audio Production: Steve Lane (www.realtone.com.au)
Mastering: Joseph Carra (www.crystalmastering.com.au)
Video production: Brett Wheeler