A Ngalilak (White Cockatoo) Song-verse from the Clan Song Series Djambidj

Processing note: review neededFrank Gurrmanamana told me this story in July 1975 as an explanatory gloss on a series of mardaian song verses. These verses are the "outside" or non-secret version of the "inside" mardaian songs performed at Arnhem Land rituals of the same name, known in Eastern Arnhem Land as ngarra (Warner 1958; Elkin 1972; Keen 1978; Elkin and Jones 1958). The word mardaian means "sacred" or "holy."--Page 446.Margaret Clunies Ross, a member of the English department at the University of Sydney, has for some time had a special interest in the oral traditions of the Australian Aborigines. She has carried on fieldwork, particularly in North Arnhem Land, and has written numerous articles and monographs on this area.First story told by Frank Gurrmanamana, transcribed and translated by Margaret Clunies Ross.Second story sung by Frank Malkorda, transcribed and translated by Margaret Clunies Ross with musical notations by Stephen A. Wild. Copyist Margaret Gummow.This song-verse was recorded by Peter Barker during the filming of a mortuary ceremony at Djunawunya on the Arnhem Land coast in July, 1978. Djunawunya is a few miles west of the mouth of the Blyth River. The film, Waiting for Harry, was shot and directed by Kim McKenzie. This particular Cockatoo song and its accompanying dance appear on Camera Roll 39 of the Waiting for Harry footage and are accessible in the film archive of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.--Page 451-452