Yothu Yindi

Yothu Yindi

Yothu Yindi (Yolngu for "child and mother" ) is an Australian band with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. The Aboriginal members come from near Yirrkala on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land. The band tries to combine aspects of both musical cultures. Their sound varies from traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs. In almost all their songs they try to blend the typical instruments that are associated with pop/rock bands, such as guitars and drums, with the traditional didgeridoo and clapsticks. They also adapted traditional dance to accompany their music. In a broader sense they promote the need for mutual respect and understanding in the coming together of different cultures. Their most widely known song is "Treaty", found on their 1991 album Tribal Voice.

They have established the Yothu Yindi Foundation, which produces the annual Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures celebrating Yolngu culture.

Members

• Mandawuy Yunupingu, singer-songwriter
• Stuart Kellaway, bass guitar (a balanda (non-aboriginal))
• Nicky Yunupingu, yidaki, Dancer (deceased)
• Ben Hakalitz, drums from Bougainville Island
• Cal Williams, guitar (non-aboriginal)
• Tom Neil Harmonica/Triangle player

Awards

• 1991 - Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Songwriting Award for "Treaty".

Discography

• Homeland Movement (1988)
• Tribal Voice (1991)
• Freedom (1993)
• Birrkuta - Wild Honey (1996)
• One Blood (1998)
• Garma (2000)
• Nah (2008)

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External links

• Yothu Yindi
• Two examples of Yothu Yindi music (video & lyrics)
• The Yolngu
• Garma Festival home page
• Yothu Yindi at the National Film and Sound Archive