Wardu and Wadni Workshop Songs: Warrukathi, Wabma and Arru!

By Dr Veronica Arbon

Here are a few words and three of the songs from the Wardu and Wadni workshops in Port Augusta and the Arabana Camp.

The first workshop was held on the 1st & 2nd and the 5th & 6th May 2025 alongside Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) with DEM MOB alo running a youth workshop on 1st & 2nd May at Umeewarra Media in Port Augusta. 

Those involved were Arabana educators and support (Veronica, Tina and Kristy), with the members of DEM MOB (Matt and Elijah) and CASM staff (Dylan). The workshops were not attended despite extensive advertising.  Several songs were re-written, and a new one developed with the first few lines recorded as Warrukathi (Emu).

A visit on Friday 2nd to the Carlton Primary School by DEM MOB, CASM and Arabana team was a rockstar moment for many of the children. The Arabana team then visited the school on the Monday and worked with students to learn, sing and record the songs Wabma and Arru to the sounds of the tune Fere – Jacques.

Here we have the Wabma and Arru as animations with song backing and the Warrukathi song which holds the voice of four generations and those who sang like professionals in the GigRig (a recording studio on wheels) at Finniss Springs.

Watch the videos on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@ArabanaAboriginalCorporation

Additional versions of Wabma and Arru with the Carlton Primary School students singing along with a great recording of Finniss-inga will be posted soon.

Ukarai!  

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