YYF CEO Denise Bowden said with its focus on traditional miny'tji (art), ancient story-telling, manikay (song), bunggul, and ceremony, Garma nourishes these cultural traditions and ensures they continue to flourish for generations to come.
“The theme for this year’s Garma revolves around the concept of makarrata,” she said.
“In traditional Yolngu culture, a makarrata was a peace-making ceremony to heal divisions of the past between disputing clans.
“A senior mediator was called on to oversee the process, which typically involved the infliction of pain to the person who had committed the wrong. Traditionally, a spear to the thigh was an acceptable form of discipline.
“Once blood had been shed, and the cleansing ritual had taken place, clan groups would consider the dispute had been resolved. Clan groups thereafter had an optimistic future, no grudges were held, and life continued on for all.”
Mrs Bowden said the notion of a makarrata, of a healing, remained relevant today in the context of the ongoing process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“Reconciliation doesn’t end with a single act or gesture,” she said.
“It’s a moving and constantly evolving process for our nation. Sometimes it’s a case of two steps forward, one step back, but it’s important we keep working at it together as a unified approach.
“Whether we’re talking about Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians, the push for a Treaty, or issues around land rights, there has to be room for give and take on both sides of the fence.”
Garma is held at an important Yolngu ceremonial site, Gulkula, near the township of Gove in northeast Arnhem Land.
With limited capacity, tickets for the event sell out months in advance. Qantas will be running special Garma charter flights on the 3rd and 7th August, while Airnorth has also scheduled additional services to cope with the influx of guests.
"We encourage anyone thinking about attending this year's event to purchase a ticket now and lock in your travel arrangements early," Mrs Bowden said.
For more information and to reserve your place, visit www.garma.com.au
"Over the past 18 years, Garma has grown and evolved to become one of the highlights of the Australian event calendar”