Zorba the Greek Aboriginal style: A dance sensation
When the Chooky Dancers from remote Elcho Island showed their Yolngu version of Zorba The Greek the world went nuts.
In late 2007 and early 2008 a group of Aboriginal dancers from the remote Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (550 kilometres northeast of Darwin), made headlines.
The "Chooky Dancers" became famous when they performed Zorba the Greek in Yolngu style at the Ramingining Festival on 30th September 2007, painted and all.
This is a great example of how adept Aboriginal people are and always were. Each new challenge is met with ingenious creativity. Another good example is the movie Bush Mechanics.
The Zorba the Greek dance video went viral on YouTube. It was shot at a festival in Ramingining in 2007 by their manager, Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy from Milingimbi. Discover the story behind the Chooky Dancers.
These dancers have put Elcho Island on the world stage in an innovative and entertaining way—blending traditional and contemporary dance with Greek music.—Steve Larkin, AIATSIS Principal [1]
Indigenous dance isn't just Indigenous dance—it's a map in itself, a directory of the culture behind the dance. —Elverina Johnson, Aboriginal Consultant Curator [2]
Map showing the location of Elcho Island east of Darwin.
[1] 'Yolngu darlings of YouTube wow Canberra', Koori Mail 419, p.3 [2] 'Dance in the dust', Koori Mail 437 p.54