Diplomacy and dance as international Indigenous communities connect at Garma

A collaborative performance bringing together Yolngu and Indigenous Taiwanese artists has highlighted shared cultural traditions, kinship and friendship at this year’s Garma Festival on Yolngu Country in northeast Arnhem Land. Gapu Ngupan — meaning “Chasing the Rainbow” — was performed at Gulkula as part of the annual festival, combining traditional song, dance, ritual and ceremonial costume developed through a six-year partnership between Yolngu performers and members of Taiwan’s Paiwan people. The performance reflected this year’s Garma theme, Bukmak, a Yolngu Matha word meaning “everybody”. The theme celebrates inclusivity, shared responsibility and the coming together of people from different communities and…