The Australia Pavilion is hosting the largest ever performance of Australian indigenous culture in China as part of the celebrations for Oceania Month.

"Our pavilion is using the Expo 2010 Shanghai as a vehicle to showcase the capabilities, people and culture of Australia that reflects the multicultural nature of the country and our own unique history," said Lyndall Sachs, commissioner-general of the Australia Pavilion.

During Oceania Month, the Australia Pavilion has prepared an unique line-up of indigenous artists from the Torres Strait Islands and the Australian mainland in a feast of creativity, energy and pride formed by their indigenous cultures.

These artists include the Ariw Poenipan Torres Strait Cultural Group; the Mornington Island Aboriginal Dancers; B2M, a contemporary Aboriginal singing group. Also, Aboriginal visual artists Wendy Nungarrayi Brown and Alma Nungarrayi Granites will demonstrate their distinctive artwork.

In addition to the indigenous focus during Oceania Month, Australia's vibrant cultural and artistic life will be on show with performances by visiting artists including percussion group Tetrafide, pianists Aidan Boase and Camilla Wong, guitarist Jeff Lang and street theatre group Bizircus.

Ariw Poenipan Torres Strait Cultural Group is lead by prominent elder Jeff Aniba-Waia. Ariw Poenipan means "the lightening that pierces the rain, and echoing thunder of the monsoon season". Visitors will see their traditional costumes, craftsmanship and dance during Oceania Month.

"I was originally from the Torres Strait where we lead a joyful and relaxing holiday life, as the island is surrounded by the ocean and full of sunshine," said Leilani Bin-Juda, the manager of Cultural Programs at the Australia Pavilion.

For the people of Mornington Island, dance and song is a cornerstone of their culture and identity. The Mornington Island Dancers will share their unique style with visitors in terms of presenting traditional stories and songs from Far North Queensland.

"The performance from the Mornington Island Dancers features traditional Aboriginal dance that is well known nationally. The group has toured around Australia and overseas since the 1970s. All of the dances come from dreams and stories that relate to and illustrate traditional law," said Roxanne Thomas, the spokesperson for the group.

Performances from the Mornington Island Dancers are about the land, sea and sky, and come from stories passed down from one generation to the next. These dances are a selection allowed to be performed in public at festivals and special celebrations. However, there are many more dances that are only performed for traditional ceremonies on Mornington Island, for example, initiation ceremonies.

Sisters Wendy Nungarrayi Brown and Alma Nungarrayi Granites are from Yuendumu, northwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. They have been painting since 1987 and both use mainly acrylic on the linen and canvas. Their paintings have been exhibited extensively around the world. Their works depict dreamtime: the creation stories of their traditional homelands that have been passed down by their ancestors.

B2M is a contemporary Aboriginal singing group from the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory. These young Australians offer a fusion of blues, pop and traditional sounds from their community.

"Within the next three months, we will have 30 more acts coming to Shanghai to delight and inspire visitors to the Australia Pavilion. There will be an interesting collaboration performances from other pavilions to continue the Australian theme of fusion," Sachs said.

(China Daily 08/20/2010)