Jump to content

Djuki Mala

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Chooky Dancers)

Djuki Mala, previously known as the Chooky Dancers, are a dance troupe from Elcho Island in the Northern Territory. They first came to attention through a YouTube video of them performing to Zorba the Greek while in ceremonial dress.

Djuki Mala first came to attention in 2007 after Margaret Nyungunyungu recorded a video of the group performing in Darwin. One of the dancers was her son Lionel Dulmanawy Garawirrtja who came up with their routine to honour his sister's carer, a Greek lady named Liliane.[1] As of June 2017 the video had over 2.7 million views.[2]

Members have included Baker Boy, Baykali Ganambarr, Yalyalwuy Gondarra, Gadidjirrimiwuy Dhamarrandji, Bapadjambang Atu,[3] Lionel Dulmanawy Garawirrtja, Mitchell Rang Garawirrtja, Wakara Gondarra,[4] Marko Garmu,[5] Wattjar Garmu and Tibian Cristopher Wyles. The group is directed by Joshua Bond.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lallo, Michael (19 April 2014), "D'Chooky Dancers': Spirits rise amid sorrow", Sydney Morning Herald
  2. ^ Nally, Alicia (30 June 2017), "Djuki Mala troupe dancing up big storm at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair", Cairns Post
  3. ^ McCarthy, Malarndirri (20 January 2016), "Djuki Mala dancer draws inspiration from an unlikely source", NITV News
  4. ^ Hannaford, Victoria (4 March 2014), "Top End dancers, Djuki Mala, take the show on the road for national tour", Herald Sun
  5. ^ Stephens, Bill (24 April 2019), "Djuki Mala", Arts Review
[edit]