Artworks

This is a story about the meeting of two cultures and much needed rain. Two dancers, David McMicken and Tim Newth, run the Darwin-based dance company Tracks. For the last twenty years, they've been working in the Tanami Desert with the Warlpiri people and particularly with Warlpiri elder Steve Tjampitjinpa. Their project is called Milpirri, and it began when Steve Tjampitjinpa approached Tim and David with the idea of creating a performance that would involve the whole community.

In Warlpiri the world 'milpirri' means thundercloud, a particular sort of cloud that's formed by the mixing of hot air and cold air, so that when it comes together there's some friction and some tension. But after that, the rain falls and brings nourishment and new growth to the land. All the animals and people then flock to this new growth and a feast is held.

Steve Tjampitjinpa Patricks's idea was to take this concept of milpirri, and perform it in a way that would help the community, at a time when they were stuggling to come to terms with their first instance of youth suicide.

Further Information

Tracks Dance Company

Story Researcher and Producer

Lyn Gallacher

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