Garrigarrang Badu

Jannawi means “with me, with you” in Dharug language – a statement of welcome and solidarity. For over a decade, the all-female Jannawi Dance Clan have woven traditional and contemporary dance to ensure Dharug songlines thrive.  

Their most ambitious work yet, Garrigarrang Badu, is created and choreographed by artistic director Peta Strachan in collaboration with Jannawi Dance Clan dancers. Women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations across the continent come together in a large-scale celebration of Dharug Country – the land on which they now live, dance and create. 

Garrigarrang (“salt water”) and Badu (“fresh water”) tells the story of Dharug nation, which spans from the mountains to the sea, paying homage to the vital role women have played for millennia in shaping and carrying Dharug culture. It’s a powerful reflection on the ties between land, body and spirit, bearing witness to the strength, resilience and creativity of women. 

This is a living act of cultural continuation – one that ensures the future of Dharug language, stories, and dance. After a celebrated development showing at Sydney Festival 2023, Garrigarrang Badu returns in 2026 in full flight at the Sydney Opera House.