Singing Bones by Samuel Curkpatrick

Author:Samuel Curkpatrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: AVGW: World music
Publisher: Sydney University Press
Published: 2020-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Djuwalpada” (Ghost)

Mode a

Mode b

Mode d

5

6

3

“Gara” (Spear)

Mode a

Mode b

Mode e

3

2

2

“Raki” (String)

Mode b

Mode d

Mode e

4

3

5

Fig. 5.3. Approximate notation of the Wägilak dämbu (audio example 5f).

Djuwalpada, the first subject in the Wägilak narrative, is first accompanied by the walking mode, a pattern that is, throughout the entire song series, associated with Djuwalpada travelling through the countryside, naming plants and animals (see table 5.3). The dance actions are performed in synchronicity with this repetitive rhythmic structure, translating sound into movement and bringing narrative action to life.

Each rhythmic mode is characterised by its speed and length: “For Djuwalpada, first that long one [bilma mode], then the short one, then double one. Then Woomera [“Galpu” Spear thrower]: first that long one, then the short one, then double one.”19 When the rhythmic mode changes to the stalking prey mode, Djuwalpada—and the dancers—stalk prey with a spear; when Djuwalpada finds the guku (honey), his celebratory dance is accompanied by the dancing mode. In the running mode, the more frequent the alterations between the different rhythmic components, the closer Djuwalpada is to reaching his country. The beginnings of all subsequent subjects or events in the narrative action of manikay are clearly identified by a change in the bilma mode, and climaxes are anticipated with building momentum.

The following table (table 5.3) represents the rhythmic modes used by Wägilak in Ngukurr for smoking ceremonies. The modes typically performed in CRB (sixteen of the thirty-four modes documented here) are indicated with an asterisk. The transcribed cadence patterns are used to demarcate the gumurr (chests) segments within a song within the song or conclude the yutuŋgurr (thigh). “Double” indicates two gumurr are performed. The ordering of modes below remains consistent in performance.

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