Gapu Nyupan (Chasing the Rainbow)

This telling of the origin stories of the Yolnu and Paiwan people and their developing relationship began with clap sticks sounding in the silence and the familiar, exciting voice of the didgeridoo. The two people prone and still on the stage responded to the life pouring into them from the music. The dances and songs which followed carry the weight of thousands of generations of belief and ritual. They are serious and joyful just as the Rainbow Serpent is believed to carry the power of life and death. The kangaroo hunt dance was hauntingly true and stood out against the more ritualised movements of some of the other dances.

The Painwan culture and stories were sung and danced with focus and power with some lighter moments when the relationship with the Yolnu people was developing. The mutual recognition of the groups led to the sharing of food and giving of gifts.

The double nose flute which is an instrument of cultural significance to the Paiwan people was generously shared and its tonal characteristics and harmonies were extraordinary.

The performers, Ljaucu Talimaraw, Ngalkanbuy Mununggurr, Ineke Wallis, Gandhurrminy (Loretta) Yunupingu, Temu Masin, and Barraral Mununggurr gave energetic, focussed and skilled performances. Their seriousness carried the performance through to the end without clapping which was then released in a lengthy standing ovation.

The backdrop was a character in its own right, framing the performance with projected video of Yongu, Paiwan and Amis country and some abstract designs.

The lighting (Karen Norris), costume (Peta Strachan) and sound (Arian Ganambarr Pearson) designers added substantially to the performance.

Being able to experience this performance felt like a privilege with a ‘lost in translation’ feeling that left me wanting to know more about these cultures and their expression.

Ruth Richter