West Arnhem welcomes in the new year

Artists from Mardbalk Arts and Culture painted up to welcome in the new year at Warruwi, South Goulburn Island. PHOTO: MARDBALK ARTS CENTRE

Communities across West Arnhem have welcomed in 2016 with celebrations ranging from a disco to cultural song and dance.

In Warruwi, on South Goulburn Island there were didgeridoo (yidaki), clapsticks, the Bam-Bam dance, and the more than occasional flour bomb.

The New Year celebrations got underway at the Community Recreation Hall on New Year’s Eve, with fun performances and dance during the countdown to midnight.

“Everybody was in New Year festive mode, with cultural dancing and singing until the early hours on the morning,” said Mobie Wees, Customer Service Officer with West Arnhem Regional Council.

The flour-power was evident on the first post of the year on the Yagbani Aboriginal Corporation’s facebook page: “The first day of 2016 got underway with the local tradition of covering everyone in flour and clay to celebrate New Years Day,” the post read.

“Kids, adults and dogs were chased around the community and were ‘clay bombed’, but running did no good, as you were still going to cop it!”

In Jabiru, the Sports and Social Club had glow-sticks and ice cream for kids, and a disco in the main bar until 1am - visit their facebook page here.

Salty, Johnny, Maurice, Roderick and others play didge and clapsticks to celebrate the first day of the New Year in Warruwi.

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