Piyalbajarri - Yarns and Songs with Peter Salmon
Ngaliju
16 May
Start: 5.15pm
Finish: 6.15pm
Location: Cossack Courtyard
Ages: All ages
Adult: $25, Conc: $20, Child/Youth: $15
Tickets: https://karratha.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/161628
Welcome to Country by Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation from 5pm to 5.15pm
Piyalbajarri (‘Yarns’) is a one-hour stage show of stories and songs, performed by 92-year-old Thiinma Elder, stockman and songwriter Peter Salmon with long-time collaborator Rosie Sitorus.
Peter tells his life stories in both Thiinma and English, allowing audiences the rare chance to hear a critically endangered language spoken by its only living speaker — and still understand every word. Each yarn is paired with original songs, written and performed by Peter and Rosie as part of their songwriting project Warralgurniya (‘singing’).
With warmth, humour and the easy flow of campfire storytelling, Peter recalls a lifetime on pastoral stations, his deep connection to Thiinma country, and the resilience and strength of culture that have carried him through. Together with Rosie — an experienced performer, linguist and community advocate — they create a moving, cross-generational performance that leaves audiences enriched, entertained and connected.
This is a rare and powerful experience, offering insight into a world rapidly disappearing into history and celebrating the life and voice of a remarkable man.
Warnings: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that this presentation will show pictures of people who have passed away (used with their next of kin’s express permission).
Fun Facts and FAQs
Peter Salmon is the last fluent speaker of Thiinma language, of the Upper Gascoyne (along the Lyons River).
At 92 years old, Peter still writes songs, performs and travels for shows.
Rosie and Peter have been collaborators for nearly a decade, working across WAcommunities.
Their first project Warralgurniya was featured on WAM’s Sounds of the Midwest in 2021 and performed at Perth Festival, Nannup Festival and most recently at the Darwin RailwayClub.
The show evokes the feel of a campfire under the stars, with yarns that blend humour,history and cultural insigh
Will I understand what’s happening if it’s in another language?
Absolutely! Firstly, because body language and good story telling will tell you more of the story than you can imagine. And secondly, because that’s what Rosie’s for - she will interpret live on stage to explain each story so you can settle back and listen to it in the language the story first happened in – Thiinma.
I don’t know much about First Nations people, is this show for me?
We’d be lying if we said it was made for you – we made it for the old fella after all! – but Peter and Rosie are proof that there are no divides too great to get in the way of a good yarn.
Why is this a show for pastoralists?!
Well, if you’re in the cattle game you probably already know Peter – in fact, you probably learned how to get a mickey bull back into the mob from him! This fella’s been working the land every single year since 1943. That’s 82 years in the saddle/driver’s seat!!!
Would kids enjoy Piyalbajarri?
We’d also be lying if we said this was a show made for kids – it’s not. But that doesn’t mean kids won’t enjoy it. There are catchy tunes, edge-of-your-seat yarns about near misses and run ins with cattle and wildlife, and a whole new language to hear. Your kids have probably learned a bit of Ngarluma/Yindjibarndi at school so they’ll probably be stoked to hear another language that has many of the same words!
And…how do you pronounce ‘Piyalbajarri’?
Break it into syllables – Pi-yal-ba-ja-rri
Piyal: sounds like peel
Ba: It’s just ba!
Jarri: sounds like a nickname for Chris Judd