The Jingili Song Project Embarks on National Tour to Preserve Endangered Language

The Jingili Song Project sets off on its first ever national tour, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at raising awareness for the endangered Jingulu language. Led by Indigenous singer-songwriter Stuart Joel Nuggett and supported by the dynamic country rock band, David Garnham & the Reasons to Live, the tour combines music and cultural preservation in an effort to breathe new life into the language spoken by fewer than ten people.

The national tour, which kicks off in Darwin, will make stops in Melbourne, regional Victoria, New South Wales, and conclude in Canberra. This tour is not just about delivering an unforgettable musical experience; it’s about shining a spotlight on the desperate need to save the Jingulu language and ensure its survival for future generations.

Stuart Joel Nuggett, a Jingili man from Kulumindini (Elliott) in the Northern Territory, now based in Mpartnwe (Alice Springs), is passionate about using his music to preserve and promote his cultural heritage. His songs, a fusion of folk, outlaw country, and toe-tapping tunes, are sung in both English and the endangered Jingulu language, allowing audiences to connect with the deep-rooted cultural traditions of his people.

As part of the tour, Stuart will also host language workshops, where he will teach and create new songs in the Jingulu language. These workshops will take place at notable events such as Cresfest in Victoria and the National Folk Festival in Canberra.

The Jingili Song Project has received invaluable support from Northern Territory Touring, a multi-arts touring agency that is managing the national tour. Evan Saunders, the Performing Arts Manager at Artback NT, expressed his excitement in collaborating with David Garnham & the Reasons to Live to bring this project to a wider audience. “This tour is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work of one of the NT’s most authentic country artists, Stuart Joel Nuggett,” said Saunders.

David Garnham, known for his eclectic mix of hope and despair in his own song writing, is equally committed to the cause. “The Jingili Song Project is all about conserving and promoting the Jingulu language and creating new works within it,” said Garnham. “We’re thrilled to be hitting the road and spreading the word beyond the Top End.”

Stuart Joel Nuggett is resolute in his belief that language is the heart of Aboriginal identity. “Language is everything for Aboriginal people,” he said. “It’s our identity, it’s who we are, and if the younger generation loses this language… it’s all gone.” His passion to preserve Jingulu is evident in every note he sings and in every workshop he leads.

The Jingili Song Project’s national tour is not just about music; it is about cultural preservation, raising awareness, and inspiring the younger generation to keep their language alive. As Stuart continues his mission to connect with audiences through the power of song, he hopes to ignite a broader conversation about the importance of safeguarding endangered languages and the stories they carry.

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