Australia: Aboriginal Music

It is thought that the Indigenous peoples of Australia (Aborigines) have inhabited the varying terrains of the continent for more than 40,000 years. Although only three percent of Australia's population (as of 2013), the first Australians belong to more than four hundred distinct tribal groups and speak over two hundred languages. Aboriginal music is essentially vocal music and mainly the prerogative of men, although women may provide vocal support in some ceremonies. Music is primarily sung during ceremonial rites of passage and funeral rituals. Singers may occasionally be accompanied by the droning rhythmic patterns of the didjeridu (didgeridoo), a long, tubular wind instrument usually made from eucalyptus wood, or by sticks. The album includes ten songs — Rain Dreaming songs, clan songs, dance songs, and women's songs — in nine languages. The liner notes present detailed information about regional variations in the music and about each selection. This album is part of the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music.

Track Listing

101	Rain Dreaming (ngapa) Ceremony (excerpts)	Aboriginal men and women of Yuendumu, Northern Territory	10:54
102	A Re-Singing of Rain Dreaming Songs after the Ceremony	Dinny Djalbaldjari	03:11
103	Rain-Making Song (Excerpt from a Series)	Bill Anda Nunggulmarra	01:01
104	Balgan Songs (Selected Items)	Wadi Ngyerdu	06:13
105	Djabi Song: The Windmill Of Wallanie Plains	Andy	00:48
106	Wongga Dance Songs (Selected Items)	Tommy Barandjak, Harry Ferguson	06:33
107	Brolga Bird Clan Songs	Dabulu, Magurn, and party	04:08
108	Women's Wu-ungka Songs	Utekn, Yuimuk	02:04
109	Morning Star, Pigeon, and Rain Songs	Aboriginal men and women of Caledon Bay, North-Eastern Arnhem Land, N.T.	03:07
110	Stingray, Dolphin, Curlew, and Shark Songs	Gula (Warnungamadada clan), Abadjara (Warnindilyagwa clan), Malkarri (Warnindilyagwa clan)	06:29