In October 2007, a YouTube clip of an indigenous dance group performing on a basketball court went viral and birthed an unforeseen phenomenon.<\/p>\n
Over a decade later, \u201cZorba the Greek Yolngu style\u201d is approaching three million views.<\/p>\n
What started as a tribute piece has since evolved into a popular touring act \u2013 Djuki Mala \u2013 led by artistic director and producer, Josh Bond.<\/p>\n
\u201cDjuki Mala has been running for just over 12 years now,\u201d says Josh.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think any one of us ever thought this YouTube clip would take us this far, both geographically and in terms of longevity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s quite a beautiful story. The lead dancer\u2019s sister was severely ill\u2026 she had a severe case of muscular dystrophy and wasn\u2019t able to be taken care of on the island (Elcho Island which is off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory).<\/p>\n
\u201cAs is the case for a lot of indigenous communities, there\u2019s limited support. She was moved to another part of Darwin where she was cared for by a Greek lady and the dance was a thank you to her and to bring a bit of joy to his sister\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djuki Mala \u2013 who will be bringing their 60-minute show to Geelong as part of the Aurora Spiegeltent next month \u2013 is a celebration of the Yolngu people.<\/p>\n
Josh says although the show is fun, comedic and fast-paced, it also presents itself as an educational tool to non-indigenous people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really beautiful, and even more beautiful that people are really connecting with Yolngu culture in a way that\u2019s really accessible to nonindigenous people right across the world,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe weren\u2019t sure how people would take it overseas, but wherever we go the reaction is the same \u2013 people feel an incredible sense of joy, laughter\u2026 some people even cry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I was to sum it up, I\u2019d say it\u2019s an autobiographical genesis to the intimate moments of Djuki Mala.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djuki Mala performer Baykali Ganambarr says the show challenges the western anthropological view of first nations culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do this with our humour, our dance, our story, our culture,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s alive, it\u2019s living, breathing, ever changing and evolving, rooted in over 75,000 years of ancestral knowledge.<\/p>\n
We take our culture out of the museum and place it very firmly in the 21st century with a bit of circus and bling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djuki Mala will perform at the Aurora Spiegeltent (Johnstone Park, Geelong) on Friday June 14 and Saturday June
\n15. Tickets are $45 per person. To secure yours, visit spiegeltentgeelong.com\/what-s-on\/djuki-mala.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In October 2007, a YouTube clip of an indigenous dance group performing on a basketball court went viral and birthed an unforeseen phenomenon. Over a decade later, \u201cZorba the Greek Yolngu style\u201d is approaching three million views. What started as a tribute piece has since evolved into a popular touring act \u2013 Djuki Mala \u2013 […]<\/p>\n