Djetpuy Dhäwu Mala Radio Plays

A new and exciting series of Radio Plays in Yolŋu Matha Language.

These Radio Plays weave together traditional Yolŋu Storytelling and Contemporary Theatre technique, illustrated by a rich tapestry of sound effects designed to transport your imagination through the beautiful Top End environment and the emotive landscape of the story.

The plays are based around traditional Yolŋu stories about Djet the Osprey morphing his way into the human character Bamapama due to a lack of discipline (raypirri) and respect for Yolŋu law and culture (rom).

The first play is in the beginning, when he is just a boy and makes a terrible mistake; The other 3 plays move on through different periods of Bamapama’s life as both man and Djet, the Osprey. Bamapama becomes a cheeky and mischievous man, always plotting to get what he wants which in turn carries the stories through both a dramatic and comical series of events.



Production at Yolŋu Radio Studio: Yinin, Sylvia and Bulkanhawuy.

To the best of our knowledge, this is a first time for Radio Theatre in a Yolŋu language, if not any Australian Indigenous language.

Although the plays are in Yolŋu Matha language, we nevertheless invite non-Yolŋu matha speakers to have a listen and let the sounds carry your imagination away...

Cast: Yirrininba Dhurrkay, Sylvia Nulpinditj, Andrew Galitju and Joy Bulkanhawuy
Gaia Osborne - Producer and sound design
Damien Pree - Director
Lulu Madill - Sound Engineering and Design

The cast and director after a big production week in the studio.

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