Yabun

Last week Julie at Sydney Eye introduced us to the spirituality of the Australia Day Woggan-ma-gule ceremony. I also wanted to attend something other than colourful but overhyped, overcrowded and jingoistic Australia Day events.

This year I spent a couple of hours at Yabun, the contemporary celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Yabun (music with a beat) grew out of the Survival/Invasion Day concerts and celebrates the ongoing survival of ATSI cultures; advocates for community engagement with the arts and ATSI culture; and presents and promotes established and emerging ATSI artists and performers.

It is the largest single day Indigenous festival drawing an audience of between 10,000 and 15,000 and is one of the most important Indigenous music events in the country reflecting the huge wealth of Indigenous creative talent.

It is political by its nature and history but relaxed, friendly and welcoming with a mixed crowd, predominantly Indigenous Australians but also white fellas, Asians, Indians and the odd student/backpacker.

It was an extremely humid day so I was there for a short time only (and missed the opening dancers). I will try and go again in better weather and spend more time.