Song keepers of the central desert

This year, NAIDOC Week is dedicated to the significant role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. Performing internationally, the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir is raising global awareness about the cultural richness and diversity of Australia’s First People.

Song keepers of the central desert Source: Supplied by NITV

In the desert of Central Australia, women are the main keepers of language, cultural continuity and sacred traditions. 

Their songs reflect the relationship of the people to the land and the experiences of past generations. When the German missionaries arrived in the late 19th century near Alice Springs they introduced new songs to the local communities. The most famous of all Christmas songs in the German language is Silent Night.

A century later the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir continues to sing it in perfect German.

 

Listen to this feature (in Bangla) in the audio player above.

 

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