Mr D. M. Mununggurr funeral, 2007 | Ski Beach, Gove

Over the course of 3 weeks, Yolngu sang and danced in celebration of the life - and to mark the passing away - of one of Arnhem Land's greatest yirdaki players, the late Mr D. M. Mununggurr. During the day and in the darkness of night Dhudi-Djapu, Rirratjingu, Djapu, Galpu and mother-clan Gumatj sang sacred ceremonial songs to mark this occasion, accompanied by ritual dancing. This video clip is but one hour in the 3 week funeral ceremony. It shows the Galpu clan paying respects to their gutharra clan. Principal singers included Alfred Gurritjiri, Djalu Gurruwiwi, Andy Watjuku, Jason Guwanbal and Peter Liliyarr. Yirdaki player is Watjuku's younger brother Ian Djutu Gurruwiwi. The concluding segment of this clip shows the burial site of Mr Mununggurr in the blue and white colours of his local Gopu football team. The sand design is Walirr the Sun, which connects all Dhuwa clans. In the middle of the design is the burial site of Mr Mununggurr's brother-in-law and Mandawuy's son who passed away in tragically similar circumstances to Mr Mununggurr. At the other end of the sand design is the burial site of Mr Mununggurr's sister. The whole of the design including the flags represents a Macassan sail boat, a Yirritja metaphor for the departure of souls. It is with Andy Watjuku's permission that this video clip has been uploaded to YouTube, as a tribute to a pioneer yirdaki player who inspired a generation of non-Indigenous mainstream and Yolngu didgeridoo players.