One of the world’s oldest lullabies has been recorded in one of the world’s oldest languages.
The Noongar version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star – Djinda Djinda Kanangoor – is available in a magical video produced by the Community Arts Network (CAN) in Western Australia.
The translation of the popular children’s song is part of CAN’s Lullabies program – a music, art and language initiative specifically designed to encourage language revival.
‘We wanted to honour 2019 being International Year of Indigenous Languages, and what better way than by sharing this well-known song in traditional language,’ said CAM’s General Manager June Moorhouse.
The song is performed by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Gina is a Noongar/Ballardong woman who went to TAFE as an adult to learn Noongar.
CAN is supported through the Indigenous Languages and Arts program and the Lullabies program aims to inspire people to embrace and waken sleeping languages.
‘I wanted to learn the language, to write songs so that I could teach my children. It’s an incredibly beautiful language – when I hear Noongar language I hear music, it literally sings to me,’ Gina said.
