Mandawuy Yunupingu
Former Yothu Yindi lead singer, who was 56 years old, has died at his home in Yirrkala in Eastern Arnhem Land 3rd June 2013
He was born in Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, an Aboriginal Reserve in the northeastern part of the Northern Territory of Australia. He is a member of the Yolngu people. His father`s name is Mangurrawut Yunupingu. His skin name was Gudjuk, which means hawk. His name was changed to Mandawuy when a family member with the same name died, in line with Yolngu custom. Yunupingu means “rock that stands against time”.
He was the younger brother of Galarrwuy Yunupingu, a senior elder of Arnhem Land, who was Australian of the Year in 1978 and remains a force in Australian politics. One of his sisters is the artist Gulumbu Yunupingu.
Quotes
- “I am Mandawuy Yunupingu. I am a crocodile man. I am also the song writer and lead singer with the band Yothu Yindi. My name Yunupingu means a rock, a rock that stands against time. Fire is my clan symbol. Fire is my life force.”
- “Racism is a disease in society. We`re all equal. I don`t care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they`re human beings they`re my buddies.”
- “Australia will become a model for other global communities … I see Australians coming together from all walks of life, especially indigenous and non-indigenous Australia, for a better tomorrow. We need to lock into one another`s point of view.”
- “We must connect with old people, we need to tap into their wisdom. The hearts of Aboriginal women are crying for their culture.”
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