Gikilangangu Wergaia

Gikilangangu Wergaia — “we always sing Wergaia.” It is a promise that we make to our ancestors, our community, and our children. A promise of resilience, to keep our language and culture alive through creative expression.

This performance seeks to celebrate and share Wergaia language and stories on the Wurundjeri lands that each performer calls ‘home’. Three of us have come together for the world premiere of this project. Alice Skye, Wergaia and Wemba Wemba songwriter, who is an open-hearted balladeer and weaver of intimate spaces. James Howard, Jaadwa composer, who is driven by the spiritual potential of electronic instrumentation. Michael Julian, Koori musician, who provides the foundational and rhythmic heartbeat of the collective.

Through each unique performance, we will weave our own personal histories — stories of family, of ancestors, our community, and our Dreaming. The songs we sing will be delivered in Wergaia. The music is a blend of songwriting, sound art, and improvised performance. Painting a journey back through time, back to our Country, while charting a course into the future. This is the first step in a journey to find new ways to tell our stories. We will always sing Wergaia.

The project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund, as part of Deadly Fringe, with thanks to the Beeton Family Fund and Craig Semple.