Witladla
About
Witladla has lost his necklace! How will he be able to get it back on his own?
Meet, sing and dance along with Witladla and his friends as he discovers that together we can do anything!
Produced for pre-school aged children, Larrakia Elder June Mills tells the story of the little owl, Witladla, and his lost necklace. Filled with original songs, puppets that reference traditional Larrakia designs and fun interactions, young audiences will be captivated by this moment of a lost necklace in the life of Witladla.
You can stream Witladla below via the Sydney Opera House from November 2021 to January 2022.
Cast & crew
ORIGINAL CONCEPT & CREATION
Larrakia Elder June Mills
DIRECTING MENTORSHIP
Tania Lieman
MUSIC SUPPORT
Marine Boy
Resources
June Mills hopes ‘Witladla’ will inspire audiences both young and old to learn more about First Nation’s languages and Country. In particular, she would like to share her knowledge and encourage us to use the Larrakia language in and around Garrmalang (Darwin).
The Larrakia language is in danger of disappearing and is not widely spoken today. Help June and Witladla the mukmuk by learning some Larrakia words. Together we can ensure this important language is not lost forever.
My first Larrakia words to learn
| Animals found in and around Garrmalang | Place names in Garrmalang | ||
| Banimadla | Freshwater turtle | Bundilla | Vestey’s Beach |
| Billawara | Black Cockatoo | Damabilagwa | One Mile Dam |
| Damabila | Barramundi | Damarua | Lameroo |
| Damadangala | Dugong | Darriba nungalinya | Old Man Rock, Casuarina Beach |
| Dangalaba | Crocodile | Garrmalang | Darwin |
| Danijarra | Longbum | Gurumbai | Rapid Creek |
| Datlawa | Frill-neck lizard | Kululuk | Nightcliff Beach |
| Juwaning | Hermet Crab | ||
| Kakingga | Magpie Goose | ||
| Madla | Crab | ||
| Mukmuk | Owl | ||
Witladla make and do activities
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Itinerary
In 2020 ‘Witladla’ was performed live as part of the Darwin Festival and at Casuarina Library. The film was distributed to the other venues listed throughout the Northern Territory. ‘Witladla’ could not be performed live in these communities due to Covid-19 restrictions. From 2020 ‘Witladla’ the film is available for tour.
Sydney Opera House
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Nightcliff Library
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Malak Family Centre
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Larrakia Nation Family Centre
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Wugularr School
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Robinson River School
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Borroloola School
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Indi Kindi
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Titjikala School
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Tennant Creek Childcare Centre
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Imanpa School
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Six Little Ducks Childcare Centre
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Lil’ Antz Day Care
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Alice Springs Family Day Care
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Larapinta Preschool
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Darwin Festival
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Contact
Evan Saunders
Performing Arts Manager
PO Box 535, Darwin, NT 0801