In true 'once in a lifetimeness' and the grace of serendipity, we were privileged to be present at the Mutitjula community carnival to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the song 'Solid Rock'. This song was written by Shane Howard of the band Goanna when he first visited Uluru. He was one of the only 'whiteys' to seek out permission from the local Aborigines to visit the rock, and so a relationship was formed which led to him composing this iconic song.
This was the first time the community, which have lived at the base of Uluru for thousands of years, have opened their doors to such an event. The vibe was magical.....
We walked in past the red earth footy field where the local mobs were playing a fiery and fabulous game of AFL.
This was the first time the community, which have lived at the base of Uluru for thousands of years, have opened their doors to such an event. The vibe was magical.....
We walked in past the red earth footy field where the local mobs were playing a fiery and fabulous game of AFL.
A helicopter had dropped lollies on the field and the kids couldn't believe that they were at a party where candy was literally falling from the sky!!!
A group of incredible musicians had collaborated with Shane on the event and we were lucky to hear John Butler, Dan Sultan, Archie Roach and more talk about the the song and the connection it had created. They were all passionate about indigenous issues and ways we can move forward into a more positive future for all.
A group of incredible musicians had collaborated with Shane on the event and we were lucky to hear John Butler, Dan Sultan, Archie Roach and more talk about the the song and the connection it had created. They were all passionate about indigenous issues and ways we can move forward into a more positive future for all.
We sat in the shade and watched the footy, did henna tattoos on each other, chatted with fellow tribespeople, ate watermelon and snow cones and soaked in the spectacle of all this familiar festival stuff happening with the great looming energy of the mighty rock overseeing it all...
And then the music started. Shane Howard and some stunning woman (including his daughter and two incredible indigenous goddesses Amy Saunders and Emma Donovan) sang a haunting rendition of 'Solid Rock' and were soon joined on stage by Didge player (and recent aria winner) Will Barton. He is incredible. His playing had the whole audience spellbound as we felt the vibrations through the red earth beneath our feet.
As the supergroup kicked off a faster version of the song Ruth and I looked at each other and ran to the front to dance like banshees! The whole audience was on their feet in a matter of seconds and everyone, black, white, yellow and all shades in between were singing along and celebrating the moment of oneness.
Dan Sultan performed a gutsy and gritty song about a dispossessed youth and you could see the tears in his eyes as he poured his heart into the song. He was phenomenal. Amy Saunders did 'My Island Home' and John Butler had the fists pumping with a warrior song about respecting the land.
We all danced in the bliss and many, many tears flowed....the boys were
up the front singing along and we went home to bed with our cups full in every way. Big respect to all and gratitude for it being there.
Palya.
As the supergroup kicked off a faster version of the song Ruth and I looked at each other and ran to the front to dance like banshees! The whole audience was on their feet in a matter of seconds and everyone, black, white, yellow and all shades in between were singing along and celebrating the moment of oneness.
Dan Sultan performed a gutsy and gritty song about a dispossessed youth and you could see the tears in his eyes as he poured his heart into the song. He was phenomenal. Amy Saunders did 'My Island Home' and John Butler had the fists pumping with a warrior song about respecting the land.
We all danced in the bliss and many, many tears flowed....the boys were
up the front singing along and we went home to bed with our cups full in every way. Big respect to all and gratitude for it being there.
Palya.
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