<i>Yawulyu Mardukuja-patu-kurlangu:</i> Relational Dynamics of Warlpiri Women’s Song Performance

Warlpiri women, as with other groups across Indigenous Australia, sing to sustain and nurture their relationships Country jukurrpa (dreamings). For the custodians of these singing traditions, spiritual agency power are consigned songs singers, performances centred around nurturing relational links between people participants. Within contemporary contexts, in which singers finding fewer opportunities perform pass on songs, new performance spaces being created continue carry forward significant cultural work maintaining social order through song. In this article we consider a number instances women's yawulyu (ceremonial songs) discuss inter—group dynamics negotiations central events. We explore ways women continuing aspects despite shifting purposes contexts. illustrate examples from events, how particular involving ceremonial dances, activities, direct participants assert reshape intimate broader networks others.