THE story of indigenous struggle, identity and the spirit of the Aboriginal peoples will be told on the banks of the Maribyrnong River for the first time.
The Black Arm Band Company, whose members include Archie Roach, Lou Bennett, Shellie Morris, Bart Willoughby, Emma Donovan, Djolpa McKenzie, Mark Atkins and Stephen Pigram, will headline the Wominjeka Festival this weekend.
Over 90 minutes, the indigenous music collective will tell their story murundak , which means "alive" in the Woiwurrung language .
Twenty years in the making, murundak tells of the effects of colonialism on the lives of the first Australians against a backdrop of dusty roads, sweat, blood and guitars.
The songs are inspired by memories, as recent as the 1970s, of signs placed on seats in the main street of country towns that stated "whites only" ... or when indigenous people had to ask permission to leave missions such as Cherbourg in Queensland.
The spirit of resistance and protest is embodied in song as the 13-piece ensembles sings: "We have survived the white man's world".
Yes, they are alive, living: murundak. Festival-goers are encouraged to arrive at twilight and settle on the grass with a picnic rug to watch the IDJA Dance Theatre, Koorie Tiddas Youth Choir and Deadly Funny comedian Mia Stanford before the The Black Arm Band Company takes the stage at 8.30pm.
The performance will pay tribute to former Black Arm member Ruby Hunter, a powerful voice for the stolen generations, domestic violence, Aboriginal culture and lore. Ruby died in 2010, aged 55. Her partner of four decades Archie Roach established Ruby's Foundation in her memory.
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