On 29 and 30 November 1996 the 10th Annual Music Sound and Light Festival was held in Milingimbi.
Milingimbi is a traditional Aboriginal Community of approximately 1,000 people. It is located on an island just off the cost of Arnhem Land, 420kms east of Darwin.
In previous years the Festival has been privately run through private sector and government sponsorship. The Local Community Government Council made a small financial contribution and provided labour to help with the setting up of the venue.
In February last year, when planning for the 10th Festival commenced, it was decided that Milingimbi Council would assume overall responsibility for the Festival. A successful grant application was made to the Northern Territory Office of the Arts and a number of top end businesses offered sponsorship of cash or provision of free services.
It was decided to not only have traditional Australian Aboriginal cultural events but invite dancers from the Philippines and East Timor to share their cultures with that of East Arnhem Land. This proved a great success.
Kulay Lupa from the Philippines and the Lafaek from East Timor not only shared their dancing with the Milingimbi Community and visitors but also their art work, food, craft and music.
A feature of the Festival was the performance by Wirrinyga Band. The group had just released their second album titled ‘Dream Time Wisdom, Modern Time Vision’. Lead singer, Keith Lapulung, is also the local Festival organiser.
Musical performances were broadcast live to air through the local network of TEABBA radio and received by communities throughout the top end of the Northern Territory, thanks to Kakadu Studios.
Over 1,000 visitors came to the community to see and participate in the Festival. This is a large number considering the only way to get to Milingimbi is to fly in from Darwin or Nhulunbuy or come by boat from one of the nearby communities on the mainland. Council declared Milingimbi Community ‘open’ for the weekend meaning no visitor permits were required by Balanda (non Aboriginal) visitors to the island. With the favourable response from visitors more people are expected to participate in the 1997 Festival.
For further information, telephone Keith Lapulung or David Morgan, Council Clerk, on (08) 8987 9905.
