More than 300 performers from 40 nations and clans across the country will compete in this year’s DanceRites competition at Sydney Opera House.
The full program of First Nations dance groups taking part has been released for the free celebration of Indigenous dance, song and culture on October 19 and 20.
Dance groups are marked on dance skills and engagement with culture, language and song by the judging panel, who decide who receives the overall prizes worth more than $41,000.
Sydney Opera House Head of First Nations programming Michael Hutchings says DanceRites continues the tradition of Tubowgule – now known as Bennelong Point – as a meeting place for storytelling, celebration and dance going back hundreds of generations.
“The groups practise for months for this competition and of course its to showcase their culture and to mix with other mob,” Mr Hutchings says.
“The competition means they bring their A game – everyone loves a good competition and they love a good performance.”
19 dance groups will compete this year, with ten of them making their DanceRites debut.
Mr Hutchings says they can’t wait to welcome mob back to the Sydney Opera House forecourt.
“Showing the strengths of First Nations culture despite certain things that may have happened over the last 12 months, and keep happening to First Nations people,” he says.
“It shows that culture and dance and song and songlines is above politics it’s above what’s happening because these are traditions that go back tens of thousands of years and they’re strong and they always will be.”
The competing groups are:
ALLKUMO Malpa Paman (QLD: Ayapathy, LamaLama, Kaantju, Umpila, Mungkanhu & Oolkolo)
Babilali Dancers (NSW: Northern Coast region, Bundjalung country)
Boigu Island Kayn Kuap Dance Team (QLD: Boigu Islands, Torres Strait – Shark/Egret)
BuujaBuuja Butterfly Dancers (NSW: Bundjalung & Wiradjuri)
Deadly Brothers & Sisters (NSW: Murrawarri)
Dhanggati Baayati (Male) (NSW: Dunghutti)
DIDG – Deaf Indigenous Dance Group (QLD: Gimuy Walubara Yidinji)
Kebi Ngagalyg Kab Le Buway (QLD: Bamaga)
Koey Poeypiyam Dance Group (QLD: Boigu Islands, Torres Strait – Moegi Buay, Koedal)
Maarli Nhuuhngkhus Pikilarna maarni (VIC: Barkindji)
Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural Group (QLD: Torres Strait – Meriam)
Midnight Dreaming (NSW: Karuah/Newcastle Awabakal & Worimi)
MINJIL (QLD: Yidinydji)
MIPLA AFL Cape York Aboriginal Dance (QLD: Cairns & Cape York)
Mura Biri Gururu Aboriginal Dancers (QLD: Muruwarri)
Ngambaa Dhalaay (NSW: Gamilaraay)
Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group (WA: Noongar)
Wagana (NSW: Wiradjuri)
Yangkay Cultural Connect (NSW: Gamilaroi & Murawarri)
