Contemporary ritual practice in an Aboriginal settlement: The Warlpiri Kurdiji ceremony

Abstract

Based on fieldwork undertaken in Yuendumu, Central Australia from 2005 to 2008, this thesis is an ethnography of the place of singing and ceremony in the contemporary Warlpiri world. Core to religious life, 'traditional' ceremonies and their associated songlines have always been an important aspect of Warlpiri identity as they link people to their kin, country and Dreamings. Over the last few decades there has been a decline in the learning contexts and opportunities for the performance of many of these ceremonies, such that today most ceremonies do not hold the same relevance. This consideration is set against the backdrop of recent historical and demographic changes consequent on living in large settlements, dependent on welfare payments and store bought food. The features of Warlpiri songs and ceremonies are outlined as well as the contemporary contexts for the different genres of singing. It is shown how these songs and ceremonies reproduce people's ssociations with kin, country and Dreamings through their organisation and performance. The Kurdiji ceremony, in which both men and women are involved throughout, is presented as a central case study. It is held several times each summer for the purposes of male initiation and is particularly interesting as it is still of vital importance for all generations of Warlpiri people. While the numbers of people who attend individual performances and the scale of these ceremonies is increasing, it is in a vulnerable situation as the central songline that is core to its performance, and which guides the sequence of events for the entire night of its duration, is only known by a small group of older men. Once a domain in which people learned religious knowledge central to survival, Kurdiji! as one of the few ceremonies still held, is now more vital than ever, as through its performance core aspects of Warlpiri identity are maintained, particularly for younger generations.