Dance has always been in Peta Strachan.
The Dharug woman has been dancing for more than three decades, including a stint in the renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre.
At its heart dance is about culture to Strachan whose work blends traditional cultural practice with elements of contemporary performance.
She started the all-female Jannawi Dance Clan after becoming a mother, wanting to support women in the same stage of life.
Garrigarrang Badu celebrates Country, culture and connection, artistic director Peta Strachan says. Credit: PR IMAGE
Based in Sydney, the company features dancers from all over the country, aiming to honour and revitalise language, story and ceremony.
"What's really significant is they have a safe place to come to and they can ground themselves here," Strachan, the company's artistic director, said.
"Being able to have the support of other women from other mobs, it can strengthen and lift our voices."
The group are bringing their immersive performance, Garrigarrang Badu, which means "saltwater, freshwater" in Dharug language, to Sydney Festival in 2026.
Performed entirely in Dharug language, Garrigarrang Badu celebrated Country, culture and connection, Strachan said.
Jannawi Dance Clan performs Garrigarrang Badu entirely in Dharug language. (PR IMAGE PHOTO) "We are the embodying voice of Darug Country and that will come out in this work," she said.
"It's also teaching people from the mountains to the sea, the journey of the freshwater to the saltwater ... each part of Country is different and each part has a different story."
It's a "love song" to her Dharug Country, and to the ancestors, particularly the matriarchs who've carried stories and culture throughout generations, Strachan said.
The performance, choreographed by Strachan, was developed alongside FORM dance projects and Arts and Cultural Exchange.
"Garrigarrang Badu reflects the depth of First Nations creativity in western Sydney and highlights the extraordinary cultural leadership of First Nations women," Arts and Cultural Exchange executive director Anne Loxley said.
FORM Dance Projects creative director Paul Selwyn Norton said it had been an honour to work with Strachan on Garrigang Badu for Sydney Festival.
Jannawi Dance Clan aims to honour and revitalise language, story and ceremony. (PR IMAGE PHOTO) This is a huge moment for Jannawi Dance Clan and a vital work that all must see," he said.
Dharug Elders and knowledge holders were also involved in the creation of the piece, with a special knowledge holders talk following one of the three performances.
The talk will offer deeper insight into the stories, language and cultural knowledge embedded in the work.
Garrigarrang Badu will be performed at the Sydney Opera House on January 9 and 10.
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