Malandarri Festival 2024

The Malandarri Festival is a family-friendly, drug and alcohol free event.

This year's festival, names after Borroloola's traditional title, Malandarri, meaning 'freshwater spring', showcased the region's rich cultural vibrancy. Under the leadership of festival coordinator, Lia Pa'apa'a, and the festival director, Marlene Timothy, the preparations of the event were infused with a strong sense of community. Lia, in collaborations with various local organizations, facilitated workshops in sewing, dancing and other crafts while local musicians, including local legend Barnabas Timothy, rehearsed their performances under the guidance of music engineer Liam Budalasia.

Barnabas Timothy articulated the festival's importance, stating, "We need this festival because we're losing language, we're losing our elders, and we tell stories through music, and try to make these younger generations listen". The festival serves not only a source of entertainment but also as a crucial cultural repository and a connection between different generations.

The festival commenced on Friday 14 June, featuring performances by the children of Borroloola and a captivating dance by Angela Wurramara. Traditional dance groups representing the Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji, Wandangula, and Nara peoples from the Roper Gulf Region showcased their Cultural heritage through dance, song and storytelling.

The opening night of entertainment featured Arrkula Yinbayarra, with Shellie Morris, who are dedicated to preserving their languages as the last remaining speakers and have been touring Australia to promote this cause. Among the local talents were the Sandridge Band, Barnabas Timothy and the High Tides, culminating the evening with a performance by the iconic Malandarri Band.

The final night of the festival continued with traditional dance, followed by a remarkable performance by local rapper Big T, who returned to the Malandarri stage after a significant break, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. He was succeeded by the energetic Yung Milla, who utilized his platform to engage the youth discussions about overcoming shame and fostering confidence by inviting them to join him on stage. Then, Coloured Stone, whose nostalgic hit 'Black Boy' ended the night in a united communal singing.

A massive thank you to our Borroloola mob, all the performers, Lia Pa'apa'a, Marlene Timothy and the team that made this beautiful festival!