Djirri Djirri
Wurundjeri women's dance group
Djirri djirri logo
Logo description
Our logo represents the tail of the Djirri Djirri. The lines within depict the carving style of Wurundjeri people. These symmetrical and flowing lines are found on our wooden implements such as shields and boomerangs, but also on possum skins that are sewn together to create a possum skin cloak. These unique designs are regional identifiers, as each region have different symbols.
Ganbu Gulinj (One Mob) winners, part of The Melbourne AwarDS
Ganbu Gulinj award winners
Pictured Mandy Nicholson (centre) and daughters Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward (left) and Dharna Nicholson-Bux (right)
Receiving the Award
Acknowledging all those who have supported Djirri Djirri over the years
Djirri Djirri!
Djirri Djirri!
Some Djirri Djirris including our youngest little Tiyawi Walker
WHO ARE DJIRRI DJIRRI
Djirri Djirri
Djirri Djirri are the only Wurundjeri female dance group, and are Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, our Mother Tongue. The Willy Wagtail is the Spirit’s Messenger and gave us dance! Our dances honour our Liwik (Ancestors), Kerr-up-non (Family), Biik (Country) and animals. We are all connected by blood through one woman, Borate, Berak's (William Barak’s) sister. We ngarrga (dance) and yinga (sing) together as bininang (cousins), babi (nieces), girrin (aunties), baban (mothers), manggip (daughters), liwurruk (sisters) and bubup (babies).
Upcoming events
You can check out our upcoming events on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/djirridjirri/
Winners of Rites of Passage Award at Dance Rites in Sydney
Djirri Djirri represented Victoria at the 2018 Dance Rites competition. We won the Rites of Passage Award which was awrded to those who demonstrated the onflowing of knowledge to the next generation. This was shown by us being the only group that had young children singing in language!. Thanks for the recognition Dance Rites!
About Us-NOT JUST A DANCE GROUP
Djirri Djirri Leadership
We teach leadership skills in song and dance development with our young dancers and singers.
We are the only Wurundjeri woman's dance group, and only female group who sings in Woiwurrung.
Ceremony
All our dancers have been through different ceremonies throughout their lives. When they do the Murrum Turrukuruk Ceremony (Coming of Age), they no longer wear their Dilbanain (Emu Feather Skirt) and start wearing a Possum (Walert) belts which are also drums. Possum skin drums have been used by our women for 1000s of generations!
Private to large public events
Djirri Djirri coordinate private women's community ceremonies/dances, as well as performing at large events such as Dreamtime at the G, Tanderrum, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Melbourne Storm All Stars, Australian Grand Prix and more. We also incorporate ceremony into weddings and funerals.
dancer profiles
Mandy
Mandy is the founder, singer and songwriter of Djirri Djirri. She has been part of other mixed dance groups for over 20 years, and formed Djirri Djirri in 2013 with members of her family. Mandy is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Mandy's Spirit Protector is Gawarn the echidna.
Dharna
Dharna is Mandy's daughter and also one of our lead dancers. She has been part of Djirri Djirri since conception in 2013, after being part of other dance groups since she was 3. Dharna is Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta , Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Dharna's Spirit Protector is Bundabun the long necked turtle.
Ky-ya
Stacie
Ky-ya is also Mandy's daughter and another one of our lead dancers. She has been dancing since she was 3. Ky-ya also helps create the dance moves with her sister Dharna, but also sings and composes some of the Djirri Djirri songs. Ky-ya is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Ky-ya's Spirit Protector is Walert the possum.
Stacie
Sue-Anne
Stacie
Stacie has been dancing since 2017 and helps with creating new dances. She also takes the lead when Mandy is unavailable and explains all the cultural elements of dances and attire. Stacie is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, and Ngurai illum wurrung. Stacie's Spirit Protector is Dandan the rainbow lorikeet.
Sue-Anne
Sue-Anne
Sue-Anne
Sue-Anne has been dancing since 2017. She supports her daughter Jedda, by dancing with her. Sue-Anne also takes the lead in Mandy's absence, and speaks about the healing involved in cultural dance. Sue-Anne is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Sue-Anne's Spirit Protector is Dulum the black duck.
Sam
Sue-Anne
Sue-Anne
Sam has been dancing since 2017. She supports her 3 daughters, Bella, Laila and baby Azalea to be immersed in culture. Sam is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Sam will be receiving her Spirit Protector at our next ceremony.
dancer profiles
Mikayla
Mikayla
Mikayla
Mikayla has been dancing since 2017. She is also a mentor, and one of the leaders who run our dance workshops. Mikayla is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Mikayla's Spirit Protector is Gunuwarra the black swan.
Kiera
Mikayla
Mikayla
Kiera has been dancing since 2017. She is another mentor for the younger dancers and holds her cultural pride high. Kiera is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Kiera's Spirit Protector is Ngawanj the sun.
Hailey
Mikayla
Nanjera
Hailey has been dancing since 2017. She is an up and coming mentor and also holds her cultural pride high. Hailey is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Hailey's Spirit Protector is Wurru wurru the sky.
Nanjera
Nanjera
Nanjera
Nanjera has been dancing since she was 4. She is one of the original members of Djirri Djirri. She always dances with pride and now dances with a possum skin belt she gained by going through the Murrum Turrukuruk Ceremony (Coming of Age). Nanjera is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Nanjera's Spirit Protector is the Kingfisher and her name means the fresh water mussel.
Fenna
Nanjera
Djirra
One of our little Djirri Djirri's, Fenna has been dancing with us since she was 2 along with her mum Stacie. She is Wurundjeri Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunditjmara. Her Spirit Protectors are Muk Muk the Mopoke and the Black Cockatoo. She went through her first ceremony when she was 1 year old.
Djirra
Nanjera
Djirra
One of our Yinga Guyup Guyup (Song Birds), Djirra has been dancing with us since she was 3, along with her sister Nanjera. She not only dances but sings with her Aunty Mandy and cousins Jedda and Laila. She is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Her Spirit Protectors are Ngarrert the frog and Balam Balam the butterfly
Azalea
Azalea
Azalea
Another little Djirri Djirri, Azalea has been dancing since she was a babe in arms. She dances along with her 2 sisters and mum. She is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Azalea will be receiving her Spirit Protector at the next ceremony.
Tiyawi
Azalea
Azalea
Introducing our youngest Djirri Djirri, baby Tiyawi who danced for the first time in ihis mums arms at 2 months old. Tiyawi is Wurundjeri, Gunditjmara, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung, Yorta Yorta, Gunggari and Ngarrindjerri. Tiyawi's Spirit Protector is Gurrng Gurrng the Kookaburra. Djirri Djirri's littlest warrior!
Jedda
Azalea
Jedda
Another Yinga Guyup Guyup (Song Bird) Jedda has been dancing and singing with us since she was 8 years old. She helps her Aunty Mandy sing all of our songs in Woiwurrung and is a Wurundjeri, Ngurai illam wurrung and Kalkadoon. Jedda's Spirit Protector is Dulai wurrung the Platypus.
dancer profiles
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Jedda (left), was the first to sing with Mandy, Laila (centre) and Djirra (right) followed. Now they are our three 'wayibu yinga guyup-guyup' (little song birds). Jedda is Wurundjeri, Kalkadoon and Ngurai illum wurrung. Laila is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Djirra is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Jedda's Spirit Protector is Dulai wurrung the platypus. Laila's is Wimbirr the Wallaby and Djirra's are Ngarrert the frog and Balam balam the butterfly .
Bella
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Bella has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017. She is a very passionate dancer and is a future leader. Bella is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Bella's Spirit Protector is Djirri Djirri the Willy Wagtail.
Where we come from
Jedda, Laila and Djirra
Where we come from
Annie Borate is Berak's (William Barak's) sister. All Wurundjeri descend from her, so all of our dancers are family!
Booking options
Ngarrga (Dance)
Djirri Djirri are available for private events and ceremony as well as small and large events.
1. Wominjeka Ngarrga (Welcome Dance)
- Approx 5 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance description
- 1-2 dances
- Note: This does not include a Welcome to Country, see below
2. Biik (Country)
- Approx 10 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance descriptions
- 3 dances
3. Bunjil Mungka (Bunjil Creation)
- Approx 15 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance descriptions
- 4 dances
4. Kirrip (Friend)
- Approx 20 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance and attire descriptions
- Creation Narratives connected to each dance
- 5 dances
- Audience participation
Welcome to Country
Welcomes for public and private events
A traditional Wurundjeri Welcome to Country. Offered for public and private events and private ceremonies. This option does NOT include a Smoking Ceremony.
11. Wedding ceremonies
Djirri Djirri also offer Welcomes, Smoking Ceremonies and dance for weddings and funerals. These are adapted to your needs and prices are negotiable. Photo of Talia and Patrick's wedding in 2019 (with permission)
10. Welcome plus Smoking Ceremony
This is a Welcome that includes the healing properties of a Smoking Ceremony to cleanse visitors who are on Wurundjeri Country. A Smoking Ceremony has ancient ceremonial links to our Ancestors and can only be done by a Wurundjeri person on Wurundjeri Country.
Workshops & Talks
Djirri Djirri are also available for talks, presentations and workshops.
6. Ngarrga (dance) Workshops
- Suitable for schools, kindergartens and groups
- Public and private events
7. Ngarrga (dance) talks/presentations
- Suitable for schools/ universities/work places
- Journey of Wurundjeri women's dance
- How these have been created through Woiwurrung language revival
Cultural and Language Education
Cultural talks, Language presentations, Cross Cultural Workshops and Professional Development
8. Cultural Education
Comprehensive cultural education services suitable for schools, universities and work places. With a focus on Wurundjeri culture, language and ceremony and how Wurundjeri perspectives can be implemented in the workplace or included in the curriculum
9. Woiwurrung Language Awareness Workshops
These presentations on the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people can be lecture-based or interactive with a focus on the revival practises to keep Woiwurrung alive. Suitable for all ages with age-based workshops available
Want to donate to Djirri Djirri?
Your support and contributions will enable us fund our annual Murrum Turrukurruk (Coming of Age Ceremony) and other cultural experiences. Your gesture is much appreciated. Ngoon godgin (Thanks)
