HAZEL WALGAR DISCUSSES THE JAMBA NYINAYI FESTIVAL PLANS FOR 2025

Picture of Hazel Walgar

This year's Jamba Nyinayi festival is shaping to be one of the best yet. Hazel Walgar, a Baiyungu elder, is confident that the event will draw significant attention due to the exciting line-up and fresh approach. “I think this year's festival is going to just go off because we've got a real special artist coming, and I think it's going to be one of the best festivals we’ve ever had,” she shared.

The festival will feature various three-day activities, including workshops and performances. Some workshops will focus on artifact making, dance, and weaving, which local and visiting experts will lead. A highlight of the event will be a food cooking workshop by Matt Moncrieff, a familiar face from MKR.

The festival theme for this year is “connection,” which is important to the Baiyungu mob on Cardabia Station in Ningaloo. Hazel stressed the significance of creating stronger ties within the community: “This year’s theme is connection. We want everyone to connect with us, Baiyungul mob on Cardabia station Ningaloo.”

The festival aims to build relationships between local and visiting artists and audiences. This year, they are excited to welcome Shane Howard, the well-known singer from Goanna, who will be one of the festival’s top performers.

Hazel notes that the presence of such a respected artist makes this year even more special and anticipates a bigger turnout than in previous years.

The workshops and performances are expected to run smoothly, with Hazel noting that things are already coming together. “We’ve just come back from Cardabia after spending a few days down there. We’re almost on top of things, and we’re really looking forward to it,” she said.

As for the workshops, a dedicated space will be set up, which will have the feel of a "side show alley" with multiple activities happening simultaneously. Hazel is looking forward to this year's event, especially considering how successful the previous one was: “Last year the voice just had everyone in tears. We even had Marcia Langton and Rachel Perkins sit in the crowd, both moved to tears by the performances.”