BUNYI BUNYI BUMI: Reimagining history through dance

BUNYI BUNYI BUMI is a cross cultural collaborative work that celebrates interconnected cultures. Its world premier was presented by Bunjil Place, in association with BlakDance, Asia TOPA 2025, from the 20th to 23rd of Feb in Melbourne.

Alvira O’Sullivan while rehearsing and preparing for her performance in BUNYI BUNYI BUMI. (Credit: BBB-June-TDC_BlakDance 2024_Angharad Gladding).

Murtala (left) and his dancing partner dance in unison preparing themselves for BUNYI BUNYI BUMI show as apart of Asia Topa 2025. Image credit: Tiffany Garvie Photograhy. Credit: T J Garvie

Alfira O’Sullivan, a dancer and the Artistic Director of Suara Dance and Murtala, a dancer and Suara Dance choreographer talked to SBS Indonesian about the meaning and the development of BUNYI BUNYI BUMI. Drawing from variety of Indigenous traditions - from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia to the Tamil and Acehnese communities in Indonesia, it reimagined history through dance. It showed the coexistence of diverse heritage that could strengthened one another.

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