The Voyage to Marege'

The shared history of the Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land and the Bugis traders from Makassar inspired a musical collaboration which was performed in Jakarta in August, 2017.

The Voyage to Marege’ brought together renowned Indonesian composer Ananda Sukarlan and Australian Indigenous musicians Djakapurra Munyarryun and Kevin Yunupingu to celebrate the long and rich history of both countries in an orchestral collaboration.

Former Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said the relationships forged between the Bugis traders and the Yolngu people represent some of the earliest contact between our peoples. 

“As early as 1700, the Bugis traders made the voyage to Northern Australia and the relationship continued for more than four centuries. A record of this friendship is found in the songs of the Yolngu people and in their art,” he said.