Bangarra brings first dedicated children’s show ‘Waru’ to Darwin

Bangarra Dance Company returns to Darwin Entertainment Centre to share traditional Torres Strait Islander culture and dance.

Renowned First Nations dance company Bangarra returned to Darwin Entertainment Centre this week to share traditional Torres Strait Islander culture and dance in its first dedicated children’s show ‘Waru - journey of the small turtle.’

Open to all ages, audiences joined green turtle, Migi, played by Meriam, Erubian and Kaantju performer, Aba Bero, on her journey of discovery and survival as she navigates her way back to the beach where she was born.

Ms Bero said it was “powerful” to share the story inspired by the totemic system of the green turtle and teach First Nations language.

“The thing I love most is being able to get the children to hear language which is very powerful, especially First Nations children,” she said.

“Any bit of First Nations language is really special and that’s the most rewarding thing for me.”

After one of their interstate shows, children were crawling around on the floor with their backpacks on pretending to be turtles which Ms Bero said was amusing but also “so special”.

Waru - journey of the small turtle is now showing at Darwin Entertainment Centre. Picture: Daniel Boud

Elma Kris, who hails from Thursday Island and plays storyteller Aka Malu, said it was “rewarding” to see children embrace First Nations culture and language.

“They’re part of it as well because they’re learning something and we want to involve them as well to participate,” she said.

“It’s good to capture them while they’re young and they’ve got a lot of stories, they’ve got a lot of dreams and it’s so beautiful.”

The show has also been emotional for both women who said it was “amazing” to share the story of their totem through song and dance.

Bangarra performers Aba Bero and Elma Kris meets students from Belyuen school at the arts and crafts hall in Darwin Entertainment Centre after their show Waru, the green sea turtle in the company’s first dedicated work for children. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

On Thursday, Belyuen School students were overjoyed to meet Bero and Kris after their first Darwin show and had high praise for their performances.

Children also had the opportunity to do arts and crafts after the show such as creating their own turtles with ghost nets and colouring-in.

Created by Stephen Page, together with Hunter Page-Lochard and Bangarra alumni dancers and choreographers Sani Townson and Elma Kris, the production premiered in Sydney in September and has since travelled interstate to Victoria and Queensland.

The Darwin shows wrapped up a three months long tour of Australia.

Originally published as Bangarra brings first dedicated children’s show ‘Waru’ to Darwin