In The Bora Ring: Yugambeh Language and Song Project - An Investigation into the Effects of Participation in the ‘Yugambeh Youth Choir’, an Aboriginal Language Choir for Urban Indigenous Children Author Kruger, Candace Published 2017 Thesis Type Thesis (Masters) School School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science DOI https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/1740 Copyright Statement The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365270 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au In The Bora Ring: Yugambeh Language and Song Project - an investigation into the effects of participation in the ‘Yugambeh Youth Choir’, an Aboriginal language choir for urban Indigenous children. A dissertation by Candace Kruger, BAMus, GradDipEd(Sec) School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, Griffith University Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree, Master of Arts Research. Supervised by: Associate Professor Sarah Baker and Dr Catherine Grant March 2017 1 Abstract Knowledge of Indigenous language and identity for Australian Indigenous children is vital. Despite this there has been little research into the effects that living culture practice affords Australian Indigenous children through learning heritage language. Yarrabil (to sing) is one way in which Indigenous youth can participate in learning Indigenous language. Through a series of surveys, wula bora (focus group) sessions, interviews and reflections, the jarjum (children) of the Yugambeh language region assisted to discover how the process of participation in an urban Aboriginal children’s language choir can play an integral part in youth leadership, language acquisition, well-being (self-efficacy), and Identity and Aboriginality. The research also demonstrates how a language choir can safe-guard language and culture whilst building socio-cultural capital within an Indigenous community. The National Indigenous Languages Survey Report of 2005 listed the Aboriginal language Yugambeh of the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim regions of South-East Queensland, Australia as endangered. This thesis investigates an alternate way to girrebba (wake up) a sleeping language and engage youth in the process of learning their heritage language. The ‘Yugambeh Language and Song project’ provides academic knowledge in a relatively unstudied field, supports living culture practice and provides a model to assist other Indigenous communities to sing their language alive. 2 Statement of Originality This work has not previously been submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the thesis itself. _________________ Candace Kruger March 1, 2017 3 Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 2 Statement of Originality ......................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 4 List of Figures.......................................................................................................................... 5 List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... 7 List of Appendices .................................................................................................................. 7 Yugambeh Language Glossary of Words ................................................................................ 8 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ 12 Chapter One: Introduction, Yarrabil (to sing) ...................................................................... 13 One Indigenous Voice ....................................................................................................... 13 Project Rationale: Girrebba (to wake up) ......................................................................... 15 Significance of the Study: Wogai Nyumbala (to show your spirit, honour and power) .. 16 Research Question: Ingbullei (to ask in Yugambeh) ......................................................... 18 Chapter Two: Literature Review, Karaulgaia (for the good of all people) .......................... 19 Benefits of Participation in a Community Choir ............................................................... 19 Applied Ethnomusicology ................................................................................................. 21 Exploring Identity and Cultural Knowledge through Song ............................................... 24 Mummerimabu Yugambeh Yarrabil (to make Yugambeh songs alive): Language Revitalisation through Song ............................................................................................. 26 The Transmission of Culture through the Yarrabilgin (songman) or Yarrabilgingunn (songwoman) .................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter Three: Design and Methodology, Kungabulehla (to rethink and reconsider) ....... 30 Participatory Action Research .......................................................................................... 32 An Indigenist Ethnographical Study.................................................................................. 33 4 A Mixed Methodological Approach .................................................................................. 34 The Field Work Process .................................................................................................... 37 A Real Purpose: To Action Change for Community .......................................................... 39 Chapter Four: Ngulli nabai yarrabil (We begin to sing) ....................................................... 47 Building Self-Efficacy ......................................................................................................... 48 Safeguarding Culture ........................................................................................................ 53 Chapter Five: The Emerging Benefits of Choir ..................................................................... 66 Youth Leadership .............................................................................................................. 67 Language Acquisition ........................................................................................................ 78 Identity and Aboriginality ............................................................................................... 105 Socio-Cultural Capital ..................................................................................................... 113 Final Thoughts ................................................................................................................ 118 Chapter Six: Yarrabil Girrebbah Yugambeh (to sing Yugambeh language alive) ............... 119 Applications .................................................................................................................... 123 Limitations ...................................................................................................................... 123 Concluding Thoughts ...................................................................................................... 124 References .......................................................................................................................... 125 Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 133 List of Figures Figure 1: Visual analogue scale used in this research. ............................................................. 35 Figure 2: Age range of participants. ......................................................................................... 36 Figure 3: Field Work Process Timeframe. ................................................................................ 38 Figure 4: Recruitment flyer. ..................................................................................................... 47 Figure 5: Beenleigh PCYC Fundraiser with Candace Kruger left and Aunty Robyn Williams centre. ...................................................................................................................................... 52 5 Figure 6: Candace Kruger, Kombumerri/Ngughi Elder Ian Levinge, ABC Radio 630 North Queensland. ............................................................................................................................. 57 Figure 7 Candace Kruger, Yugambeh Youth Choir, ABC Radio 91.7 Gold Coast. .................... 58 Figure 8: Violet (5-7) ................................................................................................................ 64 Figure 9: Identified benefits of participation in an Urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s and youth choir. ...................................................................................................... 66 Figure 10: Beenleigh PCYC Fundraiser, Aric (17+), Teagan (5-7), Ethan (11-13). .................... 68 Figure 11: 2016 NAIDOC Ceremony, Wumgin