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Murli la: Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Murli la: Songs and Stories of the Tiwi Islands is a beautifully designed gift book celebrating the rich culture of the Tiwi Islands through song. Created by the Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group in partnership with Dr Genevieve Campbell and the Indigenous Literary Foundation, it presents over 40 traditional songs in the Tiwi language for the first time, each accompanied by an introduction and English translation. The book also includes a unique map of the islands annotated in Tiwi language, offering deep insights into the geography, genealogy, and spirituality embedded within the songs. Dr Campbell’s commentary and intimate photography add further understanding of Tiwi culture, making this a unique and essential exploration of the islands' storytelling and ceremonial heritage.
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Format: Hardback
$5000
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in Indigenous Australian cultures, ethnomusicology, and the preservation of oral traditions. It suits those seeking a meaningful cultural gift or a detailed, respectful introduction to the Tiwi Islands’ rich heritage and songlines.

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A beautiful book that brings many lifetimes of sung Tiwi knowledge to the page for the first time.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A joint project with the Indigenous Literary Foundation, Murli la is a beautifully designed gift book that celebrates the culture of the Tiwi Islands through song. The songs presented in this book hold cultural, genealogical, geographical and spiritual knowledge that has been passed down through thousands of years of Tiwi storytelling, ceremony and in the songlines that circle the islands.
 
As custodians of the songs, the Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group in partnership with Dr Genevieve Campbell have recorded over 40 songs in language for the first time – each with an introduction and English translation. A one-of-a-kind map of the islands, with areas marked in language, gives further intimate knowledge into Tiwi culture.
 
Dr Campbell shares beautiful insights into the Tiwi Islands and her words are accompanied by intimate photographs from the time she has spent with the women. Murli la is the essential introduction to the wonderfully rich Tiwi culture and a glimpse into many lifetimes of sung knowledge.  

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781741177992

Publisher: Hardie Grant Explore

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 04 January 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hardie Grant Explore

Illustration: Full colour throughout

Contributors:

  • Text by Genevieve Campbell

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 754g

Pages: 192

About the Author

The Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group from the Tiwi Islands have been sisters and friends all their lives. As young women they composed songs to pass on the stories of their islands, culture and ancestors. As Elders and mentors in their community, they draw on the old ways of Tiwi song traditions to help young Tiwi people connect with their language and cultural identity, also creating new songs. The women have performed at the Sydney Opera House, the Australian National Art Gallery and the National Film and Sound Archive, and feature in the Australian feature film Top End Wedding.
 
Dr Genevieve Campbell met the Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group in 2007 and with them co-founded Ngarukuruwala (We Sing), bringing Tiwi and non-Tiwi musicians together in collaborative composition, performance and recording of Tiwi songs. Over a decade, Dr Campbell became closely involved in helping Tiwi song custodians preserve and maintain traditions of song composition and Tiwi language.

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