Funeral Liturgy: a strategy to aid Funeral Liturgy: a strategy to aid the reintroduction of Kaurna, the the reintroduction of Kaurna, the
Indigenous language of the Indigenous language of the Adelaide Plains, South Australia.Adelaide Plains, South Australia.
Dr Rob AmeryDr Rob AmeryUniversity of Adelaide University of Adelaide
& Kaurna Warra Pintyandi& Kaurna Warra [email protected]@adelaide.edu.au
Why Funerals?Why Funerals?
• Identified as a need by Kaurna people in Nov. 2000 Kaurna Warra Pintyandi ‘creating Kaurna language’ workshops
• Funerals bring people together
• Funerals occur all too frequently (a weekly occurrence)
• The same kinds of things need to be said at these events
• Funerals are a time of cultural affirmation
Early BeginningsEarly Beginnings
• The need for funeral liturgy in Kaurna first emerged in workshops held in 2000
KWP Workshop Nov. 2000KWP Workshop Nov. 2000
• Workshop report listed specialised vocab
• Developed 6 expressions including:Ngadluko yakkanalya kuinyolo katti.
‘Our dear sister has been taken away by death’
Ngadlu taikurrendi ____-ko purrutti tampititya.
‘We’re joining together to celebrate the life of ___’
• Translated a well-loved hymn ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’
Kaurna Palti Wonga Kaurna Palti Wonga (Kaurna Funeral Protocols)(Kaurna Funeral Protocols)
• We wanted to find out as much as we could about traditional Kaurna funeral practices
• We wanted to incorporate elements of traditional funerals where desirable and practical
• We also wanted to draw on contemporary practices – we discussed and reflected upon the way Nunga funerals are practised today
• We also looked at funerals as practised in other ‘strong’ languages in Australia (Yolngu and Pitjantjatjara/Ngaanyatjarra)
NgarrakuinyoNgarrakuinyo‘‘a man carrying in both a man carrying in both
his hands a piece of his hands a piece of burnt woood at a burnt woood at a
Kaurna funeral; he Kaurna funeral; he carries it close to his carries it close to his
ears, walking in a ears, walking in a stooping posture’stooping posture’
Ngarru ‘white Ngarru ‘white ochre’ is a sign ochre’ is a sign
of mourningof mourning
Photo by Nici Cumpston of Steve Gadlabarti Goldsmith as the Ngarrakuinyo
Kaurna HymnsKaurna Hymns
• Tattayaingkialya – The Old Rugged Cross
• Inbariadlu Yangadlitya – Till We Meet Again
• Paia Paianda – Amazing Grace
• Yiityu Ngadluko Yungaworta - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
• Ninnandi Wilta - How Great Thou Art
• Ngaityo Kanggallanggalla - 23rd Psalm
Recording StudioRecording Studio
Alitya Wallara Rigney, Nelson Pundonya Varcoe, Rob Amery, Dora Hunter, Chester Schultz, Eddie Sansbury, Cherie Warrara Watkins
Editing SessionEditing Session
Dennis O’Brien, Dr Alitya Wallara Rigney, Chester Schultz, Rob Amery, Cherie Warrara Watkins, Nelson Pundonyameyu Varcoe
Kaurna Sympathy CardKaurna Sympathy Card
[FRONT COVER]
YAKKA ALYA. ‘We’re sorry’
[INSIDE][INSIDE]
[Ngarpadlalya] [NAME] taikurtinna kuma.Auntie- dear__INSERT NAME___ family too(to the family of Aunty ___________)
Ngadlu tangka waiendi naalitya natta naa wakkaringga tikkandi.
Ngadluko taikurringga kuinyo murka.‘We feel sorry for you all for your loss at this time. We share your grief.’
Towilla bukkiana meyunna naalityangga tikkandi.‘May the spirits of the ancestors be with you all.’
Naako taikurtinna worta Your relatives (extended family)
Launch 20Launch 20thth May 2006 May 2006
