Dance Companies
South Australia is home to six Aboriginal dance companies. Each is aligned with a particular language group, sharing responsibility as cultural bearers for their communities and acting as role models for young Australians.
Paitya Dancers
Culture bearers of the Kaurna nation.
Paitya performs dances of the Adelaide Plains in South Australia. Paitya means 'good' and encourages young people to learn and hold on to culture and embrace spiritual strength and wellbeing. As cultural bearers for the Kaurna Nation, the company draws strength from Tandanya the Red Kangaroo. Paitya specialises in cultural presentation and expression.
Information and Bookings Karl Telfer on 0417 835 805
Tal-kin-jeri
Culture bearers of the Ngarrindjeri nation
Tal-kin-jeri is derived from the language of the Ngarrindjeri people, pronounced nar-rin-jerry. The Ngarrindjeri inhabit the Coorong and lakes regions of South Australia. The name Tal-kin-jeri, translates as 'bush turkey'. This bird is a significant totem for the Ngarrindjeri Nation. Tal-kin-jeri specialises in the bird dance, demonstrating flight, feeding and territorial competition.
Information and Bookings: Telephone Major Sumner on 0419 821 135
Imbala Jarjum
Culture bearers of the Peramangk nation.
Imbala Jarjum began as a visual arts gallery and evolved into a dance company. Imbala Jarjum performs dances in recognition of simplicity and multi-purpose use of the spear. The dance gives credence to the spear, for it has been responsible for the survival of Aboriginal people for generations.
Information and Bookings: Telephone Jeanette Booth on 0432 132 821
Adjahdura Dancers
Culture bearers of the Narungga nation.
The Adjahdura Dancers have developed performances through story telling. An example is The Creation which gives an account of the rich oral traditions of the Narungga Nation of Yorke Peninsula. Accompanied by the ancient sounds of rhythm sticks, it sets the scene to build rapport and provide information.
Information and Bookings: Telephone Quenten Agius on 0429 367 121
Yura Dancers
Culture bearers of the Adnyamathanha nation.
The Yura Dancers come from the majestic and picturesque mountain terrain of the Flinders Ranges in the north of South Australia. The Yura dancers have developed a performance called the 'Sound of Australia'™. The performance simply captures the various experiences of the Flinders Ranges. John Clark, principal performer, skilfully depicts the many animal movements of the Flinders Ranges.
Information and Bookings: Telephone John Clark on 0439 468 710
Indigenous Performers Management International
Indigenous Performers Management International has been creating innovative theatrical presentations since 1982 and is one of South Australia's premier cultural performing arts company. The diversity of the company to present Aboriginal cultural performance in creative and innovative formats gives the company the ability to perform a fusion from Aboriginal traditional song, music and dance to original contemporary compositions and presentations.
Information and Bookings: Telephone Jyenari Karpany on 08 8443 3478
