Yawulyu. Art and song in Warlpiri women's ceremony - Clarrie Kemarr Long;Peggy Nampijinpa Martin;Myfany Turpin;Megan Morais;Maureen Nampijinpa O'Keefe;Marilyn Nampijinpa Martin;Maisie Napaljarri Kitson;Lucy Nampijinpa Martin;Janet Nakamarra Long;Helen Napurrurla Morton

This landmark book details the songs and body designs of Warlpiri women’s ceremony from the Northern Territory. Filled with photography, QR codes to hear the songs, music notation to understand them and detailed drawings of the ceremonial designs, Yawulyu is a delight for eyes and ears.

From May 1981 to June 1982, ethnochoreologist Megan Morais lived in Willowra in the Northern Territory with the Warlpiri community. The Warlpiri women and Megan worked as an impromptu team documenting their dances as performed in yawulyu – women’s ceremony – as well as documenting traditional movement patterns. The Warlpiri women generously and with trust shared their music, songs, dances, designs and associated knowledge of yawulyu – women’s ceremony.

A recent collaboration between Megan, musicologist Myfany Turpin and the Willowra community has resulted in this book. Women of land-owning groups who have inherited sovereignty, and other important women in the community, have granted permission to publish the contents in this book, including designs, songs and Jukurrpa stories.

Proceeds from sales of this book will be returned to the Warlpiri community.