IT’S been a dozen years since the first Kamilaroi language CD, Yugal, was produced, and now there’s another, Gamilaraay Bawilday Ngiyani Yuu.
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Gunnedah-based Kamilaroi man Greg Griffiths was the driving force behind that first disc’s creation and said a small working group had seen the latest CD come to fruition.
Like its predecessor, it was recorded by Ross McGregor at The Music Fella Studios in Tamworth, utilising the talents of 21-year-old Kelsey Strasek-Barker, who also sang on the first CD.
Iconic Indigenous performer Roger Knox was also enlisted to share vocal duties on the new 10-track release.
Mr Griffiths said the idea behind the CDs began when he attended a two-week summer school 12 years ago at a Sydney university on language reclamation.
“Every night I’d go back to my room with my head just pounding with all the words flowing through it,” Mr Griffiths said.
“After a couple of weeks, it all started coming together, and through repetition, I started getting recall and rediscovered my language.
“The thing that benefited me most was spending some time in the western desert.
“Speaking with the people out there, you really get your tongue around it a lot easier.”
With this inspiration, Mr Griffiths was moved to undertake the first recording project, and now, 12 years later, the second CD will help spread the word.
“For the Kamilaroi nation, our language is a major part of our identity, and the more we do to encourage people to reclaim that language, the better,” he said.
“If we can stimulate our young people to learn their first language, it opens up their minds to learn other languages and to a whole world of knowledge.”
The working group responsible for securing the grant for the second CD included Sue-Ellen Tighe, Peter Thompson, Priscilla Strasek-Barker and Brother John Giacon.
Mr Griffiths said Brother Giacon’s commitment to reclaiming the language was commendable, as he spent time talking with the old people and created a Kamilaroi-Gamilaraay dictionary.
He would like to see the disc used as a resource in libraries and schools, to encourage young people to rediscover their first language.
Copies of the CD can be purchased from Mr Griffiths by phoning 0499 653 878.
It is also being distributed by Richard Fields of Trailblazer Records in Melbourne, phone (03) 9510 1435.
