Students in Year 3, 5 and 6 at both the Werribee and Melton campuses were involved in an interactive performance from Wyniss, a Torres Strait Islander group of musicians who are part of the Musica Viva in Schools education program. Their name comes from the Wyniss lizards that are only found on the Torres Strait Islands, and their performance started with a special dance where two of the performers pretended to be a Wyniss lizard.
Throughout the performance, the students were immersed in the song and dance culture from the Torres Strait Islands. Uncle Dujon was the leader of the group, and he composed the songs and choreographed the dances that were presented. He was joined by Jeanette, Neville and Aroha. Together, they helped our students learn about the importance of family, culture and traditions. They were warm, friendly and engaging and made everyone feel like they wanted to go visit their Island home.
During the presentation, we learned that Uncle Dujon grew up on Moa Island, where there were no shops or toys. Rather than relying on Coles or Kmart to fulfil all their food and entertainment needs, Dujon and his family would have to source and make everything, using only the natural resources that they found on the island. Part of Australia’s rich storytelling culture, the songs and dances were all passed on through the generations from grandparents and parents to the children. This was explored throughout the show, as our students were able to learn from the elders from the Torres Strait Islands.
The musicians introduced the students to the instruments and sounds that are unique to the Torres Strait Islands:
- Pulga or Marap (a bamboo clacker). This instrument sounded like thunder.
- Two-part harmony
- Kulap (A shaker made from kulap seeds). This instrument sounded like rain.
- Warup (a big, long bass drum with a hollow base and goanna skin on top)
- Thoeram (another drum made from bamboo that is played with two sticks)
One of the highlights of the performance was when Neville and Jeanette showed the students how to make animals and other object out of string (Wami). They taught the students how to make a wami fishing spear, which was then used in part of the dance that accompanied the song. The students also all loved watching and being involved in the spinning top competition. I wonder how many adults reading this article remember playing with spinning tops and making string figures in their youth. I would love to know! Please share your knowledge with your children!
It was a wonderful incursion that really helped our students to respect, understand and appreciate a special part of our Australian Culture.
“I really liked their music. It was really exciting that they came.” Isabella
“I liked the songs that they sang and that they made animals out of string.” Aryahi
“I liked how they shared about their culture. They did interesting dances, and we got to join in, which was really fun. They taught us some Torres Strait Islander words, and I liked learning those!” Aarav