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Who are Djirri Djirri
We are the only Wurundjeri female dance group, and Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne). Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, the language of Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. The Willy Wagtail the Spirit Bird, gave us dance! Many of our group have danced since they were young children, while others have learnt as adults. Our dances are created to honour our Liwik (Ancestors), Kerr-up-non (Family), Biik (Country) and animals. We are all related by blood through one woman, Annie Borate, William Barak's sister. We teach our dancers to also sing in Woiwurrung language, our Mother Tongue.
Upcoming events
You can check out our upcoming events on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/djirridjirri/
Baggarrook-al Biik-u (She is of Country)
Djirri Djirri have set up a crowd funding campaign to raise funds for Baggarrook-al Biik-u (She is of Country). Run by Aboriginal women, for Aboriginal women. Baggarrook-al Biik-u is open to all Aboriginal women and girls who already dance and sing in language, but also those who have never danced or sang before! Watch this space for updates, times and dates TBC! Click the 'Find out more' tab below for more information.
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!
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
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
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 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
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
Georgia Mae
Georgia has been dancing since 2017. She is a true leader and talented writer. She also helps menor our younger dancers. Georgia is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Georgia's Spirit Protector‘s are Kunalumbra the little star and Muk muk the owl.
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
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
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.
Melissa
Melissa has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2018, but has danced with us over several years at large events. She represents her culture with pride. Melissa is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Melissa's Spirit Protector is Balam-balam the butterfly.
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 Dirrap the fresh water mussel.
dancer profiles
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
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.
Damien
Damien has been playing the yidarki since he was a toddler. He supports the Djirri Djirri's by playing the yidarki during our dances. He also has permission from the custodians of the yidarki to play here in Victoria. Damien is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Damien's Spirit Protector is Marla the walla
Harmony
Harmony Thomas started dancing with Djirri Dirri in 2019 and has quickly become one of the Djirri fam. Harmony mobs are Yorta Yorta, Gunnai and Wiradjuri.
Jacarla
Jacarla also started dancing with Djirri Djirri in 2019, and also become one of the Djirri fam. Jacarla's mobs are Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba and Wiradjuri.
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
2. Biik Ngarrga (Country Dance)
- Approx 10 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance descriptions
- 3 dances
3. Bunjil Mungka Ngarrga (Bunjil Creation Dance)
- Approx 15 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance descriptions
- 4 dances
4. Kirrip Ngarrga (Friend Dance)
- Approx 20 mins
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Dance and attire descriptions
- Creation Narratives connected to each dance
- 5 dances
- Audience participation
Workshops, Talks & Yidarki
Djirri Djirri are also available for talks, presentations, workshops and Yidarki (Didgeridoo) performances
5. Yidarki (Didgeridoo)
- Yidarki with Djirri Djirri
- Solo
6. Ngarrga (dance) Workshops
- Public and private events
- Schools and kindergartens
6. Ngarrga (dance) talks/presentations
- Suitable for schools/ universities/work places
- Journey of Wurundjeri women's dance
- How these can be created from revival language
Cultural and Language Education
Cultural talks, Language presentations, Cross Cultural Workshops and Professional Development
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
donate to out crown funding campaign!
Baggarrook Biik-al (She is of Country) A traditional dance and singing event run by Aboriginal women!
CALL OUT TO ALL ABORIGINAL WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO DANCE AND/OR SING, THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER DANCED OR SANG BEFORE.
LET'S DANCE UP COUNTRY!
Djirri Djirri invites all Aboriginal women and girls to be part of BAGGARROOK-AL BIIK-U (She is of Country) cultural dance and song event. This is not funded so I will be looking for funding opportunities to get this off the ground. This will be run by BLACK WOMEN, no organisations or corporations etc etc, it will be run by mob.
so who's in????
Fill out this survey if you are an Aboriginal woman/girl individual, dance group, funding body, volunteer or anyone else who can offer support. This is simply for getting all our women/girls together and give opportunities to those who don't have access to this. Let's see how far we can get! We are in Narrm (Melbourne). Dates and times TBC, fill out the survey if you are interested!