Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation (RAC) were excited to once again put on the annual Yarrapay Festival on the Roy Marika Stage at Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala on 26th June. This year we were lucky enough to host the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Yirrmal, East Journey and Yirrkala’s biggest success story - Yolngu band Yothu Yindi.
Yarrapay Festival provides a space for Indigenous and non-Indigneous people to enjoy Yolngu music and dance. RAC opened the night by performing a special Morning Star Bunggul. The event was MC’ed by RAC Director Witiyana Marika, who also sung with his son Yirrmal and performed as a founding member of Yothu Yindi.
The festival drew in approximately 600 people to Yirrkala, combining people from community, Nhulunbuy and other surrounding communities and homelands. Hot food and cold drinks were served from the Yirrkala store. The Yirralka rangers provided complimentary hot drinks and bush products for purchase.
