Sharing women's wisdom of Country through songlines

Gay'wu Group of Women
AUD $34.99

A rare opportunity to connect with the living tradition of women's songlines, as recounted by Yolngu women from far north Australia.

Joint winner of the 2020 Prime Minister's Award for Non-Fiction.
Shortlisted for the 2020 Victorian Premier's Award for Non-Fiction.



For Yolngu people from North East Arnhem Land, women and men play different roles in bringing songlines to life, yet the vast majority of what has been published is about men's place in songlines. Songspirals is a rare opportunity for outsiders to experience Aboriginal women's role in crying the songlines in a very authentic and direct form.

'Songspirals are Life. These are cultural words from wise women. As an Aboriginal woman this is profound to learn. As a human being Songspirals is an absolute privilege to read.' - Ali Cobby Eckermann, Yankunytjatjara poet

'To read Songspirals is to change the way you see, think and feel this country.' - Clare Wright, award-winning historian and author

'A rare and intimate window into traditional women's cultural life and their visceral connection to Country. A generous invitation for the rest of us.' - Kerry O'Brien, Walkley Award-winning journalist

Author bio:

Gay'wu Group of Women is the 'dilly bag women's group', a deep collaboration between five Yolngu women and three non-Aboriginal women over a decade. They are all co-authors of Weaving Lives Together at Bawaka, North East Arnhem Land and a book for young adults, Welcome to My Country.

Category: Cultural studies
ISBN: 9781760633219
Awards: Winner Best Non-fiction, Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2020 AU; Longlisted Colin Roderick Award 2020 AU; Shortlisted Non-fiction Award - Chief Minister's NT Book Awards 2020 AU; Longlisted Stella Prize 2020 AU; Longlisted Best Designed Nonfiction Book, Australian Book Design Awards 2020 AU; Shortlisted Best Non-fiction, Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2020 AU
Table Of Contents: PART 1: Wuymirri
1: Mum
2: Country
3: Mapping
4: Becoming together
5: Harmonising
Gumatj and Warramirri versions

PART 2: Wukun
1: Gathering of the Clouds
2: Singing the clouds
3: Clouds forming
4: Thundercloud
5: Clouds separating
6: Raining

PART 3: Guwak
1: Being a messenger
2: Sky Country
3: This is political
4: The spirits are in everything
5: Living in today's world

PART 4: Wititj
1: Settling of the Serpent
2: Belonging and longing to be with Country
3: Wapitja
4: Women's knowledge and wisdom

PART 5: Gong-gurtha
1: Keepers of the flame
2: Passing it on to the kids
3: The fire on the horizon
4: Order
5: Connecting generations

Ending with the wind

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Pub Date: August 2019
Page Extent: 336
Format: Paperback - C format
Subject: Gender studies: women