Garrigarang Badu is a newly developed large-scale female-led First Nations contemporary dance work in Dharug language by Jannawi Dance Clan. The work was originally commissioned by ACE and will be presented by Carriageworks and Sydney Festival 2025 as well as executively produced by FORM Dance Projects.

Jannawi Dance Clan who was initially and proudly supported by ACE is excitedly presenting their major work, “Garrigarrang Badu,” at the Sydney Festival 2025 at Carriageworks. Choreographed by Peta Strachan, the artistic director of Jannawi Dance Clan, “Garrigarrang Badu” invites audiences to bear witness to the strength, resilience, and power of the Dharug Matriarch. “Garrigarrang” (meaning salt water) and “Badu” (fresh water) tell the stories of the ancestral women where the salt and fresh water meet on Dharug land.

Garrigarrang Badu combines contemporary and traditional dance and music inspired by Jannawi’s dance practice. The performance includes 15 songs and dances depicting the lives of Dharug women living off the land, offering a profound exploration of healing and spiritual connection. The piece celebrates the earth and its gifts, providing modern audiences with an understanding of ancestral connection to the land and culture, emphasizing healing and spiritual connection. By highlighting female voices and stories, Garrigarrang Badu pays tribute to the significant role women have played in shaping the Dharug nation over thousands of years. This performance showcases the strength of Indigenous storytelling and the ability of dance to transcend time and space.