Marrugeku
Development of Jurrungu Ngan-ga

Nelson Meers Foundation is supporting the development of a major new dance work. Jurrungu Ngan-ga, meaning Straight Talk in Yawuru language, is a highly imaginative, culturally informed, political dance theatre which speaks to local and global issues of the fear of cultural difference. Featuring an outstanding cast who draw on their intersecting experiences within multiple marginalised communities, Jurrungu Ngan-ga creates a searing and at times humorous portrayal of the fear of fear itself.

Marrugeku is to Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians working together to develop new dance languages. They create dance theatre from northwest Australian experience. Broome's Asian-Aboriginal history drives Marrugeku's intercultural and international investigations in the small but critical field of contemporary First Nations' dance. Their work is made through local, national and international collaborations grown in community-based residencies and informed by an ethos of reciprocated knowledge.

Why did we fund this project? Marrugeku plays a unique role by reaching across borders into remote north west communities, engaging in strengthening discourse between First Nations' internationally and showcasing the intercultural possibilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance internationally.

More information about Marrugeku's work can be found here: https://www.marrugeku.com.au/