On Tuesday 23rd July, the Year 1 students at both the Werribee and Melton Campuses enjoyed a special incursion which featured Indigenous Australian Musician, Ryka Ali.
Ryka’s performance revealed the richness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands cultures. The presentation was in two parts, which reflected both sides of his heritage.
The students learned a number of fun cultural dances from the Torres Strait Islands and North Queensland, such as Taba Naba, Sesaar and the Kangaroo Dance. They also explored the differences between the Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal traditional clothing and instruments, and how these were made and worn. The children learned about the Warup (Drum), Yidaki (Didgeridoo), Kulap (Shaker) were made, and enjoyed listening to the different sounds of these instruments. Some special boys were even chosen to play the didgeridoo!
The children also learned that there were two types of boomerangs - the ones that returned to you, which were for playing with, and the other which didn't return to you, and was used to hunt food. Ryka taught the children to catch the boomerang like a crocodile snapping, otherwise they might hurt their hands. They were also instructed to be very mindful where to use the boomerang, as it needed to be in a large, open space, rather than an area populated by people or buildings.
One of the important messages that the children learned was that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children learned all of their life skills by spending time with their family and their elders, and by paying attention to world around them.
The students and teachers all thoroughly enjoyed this incursion, and look forward to learning more about Indigenous Music and culture this term in class.
"I liked it when he jumped like a kangaroo." Zane, Will, Aria, Warren, Xavier & Amelia
"I liked the kangaroo dance." Yuvaan, Aryus, Charlotte, Hazel, Warren & Will
"I liked the song 'Taba Naba.'" Lawley & Kyra
"I liked the songs so much!" Yana
"I really loved the didgeridoo!" Yash, Sebastian & Zavier
"I was amazed when he said that only boys were allowed to touch and play the didgeridoo!" Will