Martin Clunes Islands of Australia on ABC – For a firsthand experience of island Aboriginal culture that’s alive and kicking, the Tiwis are hard to beat.
The twin islands of Bathurst and Melville to the north of Darwin take pride in their ancient customs, treating Martin to a welcome of traditional yoi dancing.
Martin tags along with a group of women elders as they teach young local girls how to forage through a mangrove swamp for bush tucker; longbum shells, mud mussels and mangrove worms are just a few of the delicacies mother nature provides.
He also meets Tiwi artist Pedro Wonaeamirri, whose artwork sells internationally for thousands of dollars a piece. Pedro shows Martin how Tiwi art unites the traditional customs and the land itself.
But the Tiwi Islands have their modern face too. Australian Rules Football is an obsession here, and a third of islanders play it.
It’s been an astonishing success story for young Tiwi lads, transforming some of them into national celebrities. Martin meets coach Willie Rioli and discovers how Tiwi girls are finding their own success in the sport!
Production credit: Prospero Productions
Martin Clunes Islands of Australia on ABC and ABC iview – Thursday 2 May at 8.30pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
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