Treasure Language Storytelling
Browns Mart Theatre, Darwin, April 2017

Ewe, Togo

Miaweson
Christland, Mavis, and Emmanuel Kovison welcome us with the words Miale bena miafe Dekonuwo ~ Keep our culture strong, in the Ewe language.

Kunwinjku, West Arnhem

Namaladj  – Orphan Boy
Kunwinjku is the language of Gunbalanya, and part of the Bininj Kunwok dialect chain that spans West Arnhem. Our storyteller, Rosemary Nabulwad, is a leader of the ranger program and serves on Red Lily Health Board in Jabiru. Orphan Boy is the dreaming of Rosemary's ancestral land in Demed Country (Mamardawerre outstation), and she is one of the few people who can tell this story.
Greeting: Mah! Ngudda kamak?  OK, are you good?
Response: Yoh! Kamak!  Yes, good!
Listen: namaladj~orphan boy, ngalyod~rainbow serpent, birri~they, duruk~dog, kabbari~orphan boy dreaming site, manmanjmak~tasty food, bolkkime~today, kanjdji~downstream, kaddum~upstream, kunwardde~rock/stone.

NEW: PODCAST
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Burarr dja Kalawan – Water monitor and goanna
Conrad Maralngurra is from Kudjekbin Country, west of Demed. He is a musician, playing didjeridoo and lead guitar. This is the story of two brothers burarr and kalawan, one who has a beautiful drawing on his back, and one whose back is covered with scribbles.
Listen: burarr~water monitor, kalawan~goanna, kokok~older brother, rdarda~younger brother
program_darwin_april.pdf
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Chichewa, Malawi

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Mbambo ndi galu – Man and dog
Chichewa is a Bantu language spoken in Malawi. Our storyteller, Mfaume Kakozi (18), left DRC for Malawi when he was 8 and lived there until moving to Darwin last May. Mfaume is in the intensive English program at Darwin High School, learning his fifth language. Mfaume is winner of the 2017 SBS National Youth Week Award (sbs.com.au/feature/mfaume).
Greeting: Mulibwanji?  How are you?
Response: Ndilibwino!  I'm fine
​Listen: galu~dog, nyama~meat, mpingo~church, kutawisa~chase

Thai, Thailand

The stupa and the small box of rice
This was our "mystery language". Sandy Ho teaches at Darwin High School. (More information to be provided...)
Greeting: Sawatdi

Ewe, Togo

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Afi kple gbemelanwo nutsinya – The story of the mouse and the other animals
Ewe is a tonal language spoken in Togo, Benin, and Ghana. The name Ewe evokes the children of the sun, the source of life and wisdom. Our storytellers Christland and Mavis were born in Togo, and moved to Darwin a year ago. Christland is a musician and a traditional healer; Mavis works in aged care.  Emmanuel (9) attends Stuart Park Primary school and is bilingual in Ewe and English.
Greeting: Mi segli lo Listen to the story that I bring
Response: Egli ne va  Let the story come forth
Listen:  afi~mouse, ato~ear, elanwo~animals, vu~drum, ado~tunnel, jata~lion
Song: Ne lawo lawo dzɔtoa ɖɛɛ ne nye mae dzoto;
            Ne meva dzoto ɖɛɛ kaye la kpɔtɔ nama.

Thanks...

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Thanks to our story listeners – you encouraged us all with your active presence and attention! Special thanks to our major sponsor, Melaleuca Refugee Centre. Thanks to Andrea Van Der Werf and Laura Quirk from Melaleuca for logistical support. Special thanks to Alexandra Marley for transporting Conrad and Rosemary from Arnhem Land. We are grateful to Ron Mitchell of the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory and to the staff of the Intensive English Unit at Darwin High School for helping us recruit storytellers.