Revamped 2024 Lurra Festival a roaring success for Maningrida after forced hiatus

A major highlight of the weekend’s festivities was the fashion show featuring local models, with help from Yirrakala woman and international model Maminydjama (Magnolia) Maymuru.

Local aspiring models take the chance to snap a selfie with international catwalk star Maminydjama (Magnolia) Maymuru during the festival’s fashion show. Picture: NLC

A revamped Lurra Festival made its triumphant return to Maningrida for 2024 last weekend following an extended pandemic-induced hiatus.

It comes after the area’s Dhukurrdji traditional owner group allocated a portion of their community projects funds from land use agreements towards getting the festival back up and running, along with matched funding from the Northern Land Council.

The three day event included a vibrant opening ceremony and bungul, local basketball and football competitions, weaving and didgeridoo painting workshops and a bush food cook-up.

Bands and artists from Arnhem Land and the rest of the NT also took to the stage each night, with a line-up including J Milla, Ripple Effect and Liverpool River entertaining the crowd.

A major highlight of the weekend’s festivities was the fashion show featuring emerging local models wearing Babarra Women’s Centre designs and a limited-edition collection from homegrown NT clothing brand House of Darwin.

Highlights from the 2024 Lurra Festival in Maningrida, celebrating music, fashion, culture and sport. Picture: NLC

Prior to taking to the runway, the models participated in fashion workshops run by Maningrida artist Noni Eather and Yirrakala woman and international model Maminydjama (Magnolia) Maymuru.

NLC chairman Matthew Ryan said the event was a great showcase of how TOs could use the available funding to bring opportunities and celebration to their communities.

“Lurra – coming together – this is what the festival is all about,” he said.

“It really shared the strengths and talents of the strong local community and incredible region.

“A big congratulations to local Maningrida groups, including Nja-Marleya Maningrida, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and Dhukurrdji Development Corporation for their hard work in making it happen.”

Mr Ryan also acknowledged the sorry business being conducted in and around Maningrida over the same weekend while paying his respects to all the families and the loved ones lost.

Originally published as Revamped 2024 Lurra Festival a roaring success for Maningrida after forced hiatus