Big Bill’s granddaughter, Natasha Nadji hands the film to AIATSIS Chair Mick Dodson during the ceremony.
Thirty dancers, singers and ceremonial elders from Arnhem Land converged on Reconciliation Place in Canberra Tuesday 25 March, to re-enact an ancient Aboriginal Lorrkkon Ceremony honouring Big Bill Neidjie – affectionately known as The Kakadu Man.
The ceremony included the handover of unique film footage of Big Bill Neidjie’s final funerary rites, reserved for men of high degree in Arnhem Land, to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) for safekeeping.
“Big Bill Neidjie was the keeper of ancient knowledge and the last speaker of the Gagudju language from northern Kakadu. He was instrumental in the establishment of Kakadu National Park and was deeply committed to sharing his love for his country and his culture,” Professor Dodson said.
“He was a truly great Australian and we are honoured that his family has chosen AIATSIS to hold this very special film and help continue his journey – to share his culture with all Australians.”
Led by Binninj ceremonial leader Ronald Lamilami and Yolngu ceremonial elder and Artistic Director of the event, Djakapurra Munyarryun, Lorrkkon is a multi-media performance including projected film sequences and live Ceremonial Dancers from across Arnhem Land participating in an ancient funeral rite practiced in Australia’s north for thousands of generations.
Big Bill’s granddaughter, Natasha Nadji said her grandfather was concerned that with his passing much would disappear – language, songs, dance, ceremonies, knowledge and stories.
“His desire to continue the transmission of our culture and stories was so strong that he broke with traditions and requested his funerary rites be filmed and his image, voice and stories continue to be shared with all people. So in no small way the Lorrkkon Ceremony is his gift to all of us,” said Natasha.
The Lorrkkon Ceremony launched the 50th anniversary celebrations for AIATSIS.
Today, AIATSIS is the national keeping place of Australia’s Indigenous cultural heritage, intrinsic to the national identity, and holds the world’s most extensive unique collection of materials relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures, past and present.
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