TRACK 23 (Eni92-s06) Song 10: Walakandha No. 2 [131]

This song, composed by Thomas Kungiung, is about Terence Dumoo living alone at Kubuwemi for a whole year following his move from Wadeye (Port Keats) to an outstation on his traditional country. The song-giving Walakandha uses the expressions ‘a certain Walakandha’ to refer to Terence; as mentioned previously, ‘Walakandha’ is used reciprocally by the dead to refer to the living and by the living to refer to the dead. The song is said to have been received in dream by Terence Dumoo and Thomas Kungiung simultaneously.

As in the preceding track, Kungiung sometimes repeats the beginning of text phrase 2 at the lower octave before moving to the instrumental section. This performance was recorded by Michael Enilane at a circumcision ceremony at Wadeye in 1992. A version of this song, re-composed by Maurice Ngulkur, is also included in the Ma-yawa wangga repertory (chapter 9, tracks 1 and 2).

Song structure summary

VOCAL SECTIONS 1-2

Melodic section 1

Text phrase 1

Rhythmic mode 1 (without clapsticks)

A certain Walakandha is living there for a whole year, Kubuwemi! My dear country!

Melodic section 2

Text phrase 2

Rhythmic mode 1 (without clapsticks)

There is a solitary house with a white roof there, Kubuwemi! My dear country!

INSTRUMENTAL SECTION 1

Rhythmic mode 5a (fast even)

INSTRUMENTAL SECTION 2

Rhythmic mode 5b (fast doubled)