IHHP | Gapuwiyak - 50 Years Strong

IHHP crew were so incredibly privileged to revisit beautiful North East Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak in the NT. The theme for this project was a celebration of '50 Years Strong' and IHHP were honoured to intertwine the music video and dance project as a part of this with the community festival. Lake Evella School from primary through to highschool students, elders and the wider community members once again blew us away with their unbelievable natural talents and commitment to their culture, music, flips and dance routines. Massive shout out to all students and community members involved in this project, we can't thank you enough and we must acknowledge and thank the songmen, dancers and elders for sharing the beautiful and powerful traditional song and bungal.
This song is a testament to the beautiful people and community of Gapuwiyak celebrating 50 years strong. We are so proud and thankyou to have been given the opportunity by Alex Carpenter
Principal of the Lake Evella School to once again work with the Gapuwiyak community. A huge mention and thanks also to Mahra for your support and assistance in coordinating the entire project.
Gapuwiyak Lyrics-
Title: '50 Years Strong'
Pre-Chorus (Vivian, Shera, Shakira, Delila, Nickaliah)
This is a place where we call home,
We still here standing strong,
It’s nothing but love where we from
Put your hands up and singalong
(Chorus)
Traditional Language
Verse 1
Gapuwiyak 50 years strong, (Danny)
We big and better we all get along,
Dhabirrk song. Yidaki on,
Rep where we from, Many tribes strong,
Eastside clans throw your Es up, (Terrance)
Maynmuk maynmuk yaka give up,
Playing yidaki with the moieties, (Maxwell)
Dhuna, yirrija, all about unity,
Bralmina, where I’m at, (Jackabina)
Getting pandanas, showing our past,
Get that stingray, catch that crab, (Mckenzie)
Under the mangroves, spear so fast,
The ways of Yolngu will always last, (Leah)
Follow the song lines to stay on track,
Buffalo dreaming learn from the elders,
Way of the land we are the helpers,
Pre-Chorus (Vivian, Shera, Shakira, Delila, Nickaliah)
This is a place where we call home,
We still here standing strong,
It’s nothing but love where we from
Put your hands up and singalong
(Chorus)
Traditional Language
Verse 2
Come swim with us, at Bralmina, (Roxanne)
Splish splash, tip tip, with eachother,
Quick water running, water so clear, (Floula)
Men go hunting, get that spear,
Bungul bungul, lets marryuna, (Giviney)
Like Baker boy, you know you wanna,
Drop it down low now stomp your feet, (Eddy)
Move your hands to the side do it to the beat,
Listen to the yidaki, listen to my bilma, (Kayma )
This is our culture, let me teach ya,
Bush tucker eating, we love our food,
Detung, weti, it taste so good,
Eat it up, eat it up, eat it up all, (Michaela)
I'm not finished yet I want some more,
We at gapwiyak, this is our home,
50 years going, now hit the woah,
Pre-Chorus (Vivian, Shera, Shakira, Delila, Nickaliah)
This is a place where we call home,
We still here standing strong,
It’s nothing but love where we from
Put your hands up and singalong
(Chorus)
Traditional Language
(Bungal)