Sustaining Indigenous Songs - Contemporary Warlpiri Ceremonial Life in Central Australia

As an ethnography of Central Australian singing traditions and ceremonial contexts, this book asks questions about the vitality of the cultural knowledge and practices highly valued by Warlpiri people and fundamental to their cultural heritage. Set against a discussion of the contemporary vitality of Aboriginal musical traditions in Australia and embedded in the historical background of this region, the book lays out the features of Warlpiri songs and ceremonies, and centers on a focal case study of the Warlpiri Kurdiji ceremony to illustrate the modes in which core cultural themes are being passed on through song to future generations.

About the author

Georgia Curran is an anthropologist with interests in Indigenous music, languages and rituals. She lived in the Central Australian desert settlement of Yuendumu between 2005-2007 and has since continued to work on collaborative research projects with Warlpiri people. She is currently a research associate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Product details

• Authors: Georgia Curran, Georgia Curran Curran
• Publisher: BERGHAHN BOOKS, INC
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 01.11.2025, delayed
• EAN: 9781836954057
• ISBN: 978-1-83695-405-7
• No. of pages: 206
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); MUSIC / Instruction & Study / Theory, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, comparative religion, RELIGION / Comparative Religion, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Indigenous Studies, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Indigenous Peoples, Theory of music & musicology, Social and cultural anthropology, Theory of music and musicology, Indigenous peoples / Indigeneity