wurrung dhumbunganjinu (we speak language)
Experience a new sound and video installation, a poem to the river in woiwurrung, by Wurundjeri artist and language specialist Brooke Wandin.
Language comes from Country. Language is the expression of Country. Through sharing and revitalising woiwurrung, Brooke Wandin and her family tell the story of the river, its place names across Country, and the way it flows. In wurrung dhumbunganjinu, we can hear woiwurrung speaking to the river, the birrarung, in her language, one she remembers and understands.
wurrung dhumbunganjinu is a family recording of woiwurrung sharing. This sound work rejuvenates our ancient oral tradition and strengthens our undeniable connection to Country.
Recorded at Coranderrk, a place of attempted assimilation, this is our resistance.
Language is carried along birrarung from Coranderrk downstream to Fed Square.
I am in awe of Birrarung. She is powerful, durable, yet fragile and sensitive, the veins that pump through Country, the source of creation. She has flowed since the beginning and always will.
– Brooke Wandin