Djalu Gurruwiwi facts for kids

Djalu Gurruwiwi, also known as Djalu, was a respected Yolngu man from northern Australia. He was born around 1935 and passed away on May 12, 2022. Djalu was famous around the world for his amazing skills. He played and made the yiḏaki (didgeridoo), and was also its spiritual keeper. He was also a talented artist whose work is shown in many art galleries.

Djalu's Early Life

Djalu Gurruwiwi was born on Wirriku Island, which is part of the Wessel Islands in Australia's Northern Territory. He also sometimes said he was born on Milingimbi Island. Both of these island groups are off the coast of Arnhem Land. His exact birth date is not known, but it was likely around 1935 or earlier.

He was given the European name "Willie" and another Aboriginal name, "Wulumbuyku". His "skin name" was Wamut. This is a special name in Aboriginal culture that shows a person's family connections. His father was Monyu Gurruwiwi and his mother was Djikulu Yunupingu.

Djalu was part of the Gälpu clan, who speak the Dangu language. He grew up living a traditional life in a remote area. He hunted turtles with his father using a lipalipa, which is a dug-out canoe. He had very little contact with "balanda" (white people). He remembered bombers dropping bombs near his home during World War II. Later, he worked with Japanese pearlers. His family often spent long periods on the remote island of Rrakala. They traveled between the Wessel Islands in dug-out canoes.

As a young man, Djalu lived on Galiwinku (Elcho Island). He worked as a lumberjack, cutting down large trees by hand. He also had the important job of carrying out punishments for tribal law. This made him both respected and a little feared.

Spiritual Journey and Community Role

Djalu said that a spirit visited him one night when he was in jail. After this, he "found Jesus" and decided to dedicate his life to the yiḏaki and spiritual learning. In 1994, he studied Christian theology in Darwin. He became a respected Yolngu lawman and a Christian leader.

Around 2020, Djalu and his family lived at Birritjimi (also called Wallaby Beach) on the Gove Peninsula. They lived in houses built for mining executives in the 1970s. These houses were later given to the traditional owners. The houses were in poor condition and needed repairs. Djalu and his son Larry did not want to leave Birritjimi.

Djalu Gurruwiwi passed away in Arnhem Land on May 12, 2022, after a long illness. He was believed to be in his late 80s.

Djalu's Family

Djalu Gurruwiwi's wife is the sister of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. They had several sons and at least one daughter, Zelda.

His son, Larry Larrtjaŋga Gurruwiwi, is set to become the next spiritual keeper of the yiḏaki. He will also continue the Yolngu songlines and healing methods taught by his father. Larry played the didgeridoo in the 1992 film Jindalee Lady.

Larry and Andrew Gäyalaŋa Gurruwiwi led a band called Bärra West Wind. Other family members, including Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi, were also in the band. The band and Larry are featured in the 2017 film Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy.

Larry, Jason, and Vernon formed a new band called Malawurr. They performed in Melbourne in 2019 to help raise money for a new film, Morning Star. They also went on their first European tour, playing at WOMAD in the UK and other festivals.

Music, Culture, and Law

Djalu Gurruwiwi spent many years perfecting his yiḏaki instruments and playing style. He sold his creations to local art centers and visitors.

He was an important elder in his clan. He learned to play and make the yiḏaki from his father, Monyu, who was a significant leader. Monyu gave Djalu the special role of being the main guardian of the yiḏaki for his clan. This was important for all Yolngu communities, as the Gälpu clan is seen as a key guardian of the instrument. However, other Yolngu people also have similar roles within their own clans.

After his father passed away, Djalu took on the responsibility of teaching others the skills and cultural meaning of the yiḏaki. He became known as the most senior player and maker of the yiḏaki among his people. He attended many ceremonies with his brothers, who were singers. He also learned a lot about Yolngu law. Much of this knowledge is considered very special and sacred. Because of this, Djalu Gurruwiwi was highly respected.

In 1986, Djalu's talent gained worldwide attention. Some of his friends and relatives formed the music group Yothu Yindi. They asked Djalu to make their yiḏakis. Yothu Yindi had both Yolngu and balanda members. They became very famous, winning several ARIA awards and gaining international recognition.

Djalu's spiritual power was connected to Wititj, the huge ancestral rainbow serpent. In clan stories, Wititj created thunder and lightning as it moved. It is also linked to calm freshwater areas where spirits live, among water lilies and palm trees. The yiḏaki sometimes have these qualities. Some have powerful sounds, called baywarayiḏaki, like lightning and thunder. Others are Djuŋgarriny, long and deep-sounding, with a gentle, soothing sound. These vibrations are said to stir Wititj.

Artistic Works

Djalu Gurruwiwi's art included printmaking and paintings using earth pigments on stringybark (also known as bark paintings). He also created special designs and objects that are rarely seen by outsiders.

He was a highly respected artist. His bark paintings on eucalyptus bark are held in many important places. These include the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. His art has been shown in many exhibitions since 1990.

Some of the themes and styles in his artwork include:

• Mandji-dak body painting designs.
• Clan miny’tji (designs of saltwater and freshwater areas).
• Wititj (the olive python).
• Dhonyin (the Javan file snake).
• Bol’ngu ("the Thunderman").

Tours and Performances

Djalu Gurruwiwi led the first Yiḏaki Masterclass at the very first Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures in 1999. This festival is held at Gulkula, a special Yolngu ceremonial site near Nhulunbuy. He continued to lead all the Yiḏaki Masterclasses at the festival after that.

He also attended many other festivals and events in Australia and other countries, such as:

• 2002 Rripangu Yiḏaki Festival in Germany.
• 2003 Joshua Tree Festival in the USA.
• 2003 Indigenous Peoples Commission cultural visit in Taiwan.
• 2004 Dubai Sister Cities Forum in the United Arab Emirates.
• 2005 Yiḏaki Festa in Japan.
• 2005 Played for Nelson Mandela in Sydney.
• 2007 Mulu Music Festival in Australia.

At the 2015 Womadelaide festival, he took part in a discussion session. He also performed with Gotye and the Bärra (West Wind) musicians in Adelaide.

Awards and Recognition

In 2015, Djalu Gurruwiwi won the National Indigenous Music Award. He won in the Traditional Song of the Year category with the group East Journey, for their song "Mokuy & Bonba".

Music Releases

Djalu Gurruwiwi's music has been released on CDs, including:

• Waluka: Gurritjiri Gurriwiwi, featuring Djalu Gurruwiwi (2001).
• Djalu teaches and plays yidaki (didjeridu) (2001).
• Djalu Plays and Teaches Yidaki, Volume 2 (2003).
• Diltjimurru: Djalu Gurruwiwi (2003).

Films and Videos

Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy

The film Westwind: Djalu's Legacy was released in 2017. It was directed by Ben Strunin. Djalu's son Larry Gurruwiwi and musician Gotye are in the film. The story is about Djalu needing to pass on his special knowledge of the yiḏaki and its songlines. It also shows Larry's journey in taking on this important role. The film's title is similar to Larry's band, Bärra West Wind.

The film was very popular at the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival.

Other Films

Djalu Gurruwiwi was also featured in other films:

• 2000 Yidaki. This film was narrated by Jack Thompson and produced for the Discovery Channel.
• 2014 In Between Songs. This film was directed by Joshua Bell and narrated by James Cromwell. Bell spent time with Djalu and his family in 2006, traveling to the remote island of Rrakala where Djalu lived as a child.

He also appears in many YouTube videos, which have been watched tens of thousands of times.

Morning Star

Ben Strunin, who made Westwind: Djalu's Legacy, was asked by Djalu and Larry Gurruwiwi to make a sequel. This new film, called Morning Star, was being funded by the public in early 2020. It follows the brothers' band, Malawurr, on their tour through Europe in 2019. The film will also show Larry taking part in new medical research. This research aims to understand the effects of the traditional sound healing that Djalu taught him.