New Music: ‘Ngamaka’ Barkaa ft. Uncle Leroy Johnson
Image: Em Jensen
The Blak Matriarch of Hip Hop and one of Australia’s most vital voices Barkaa makes an urgent callout to protect the precious Murray-Darling Basin on her new single ‘Ngamaka’.
‘Ngamaka’ (the Barkindji word for mother or mum) is an environmentally charged track raising awareness about the plight of the Murray-Darling Basin co-written by Barkaa with fellow Malyapana/Barkindji artist and respected elder, Uncle Leroy Johnson.
The song serves as a plea for the preservation and protection of the Murray-Darling Basin and its fragile ecosystem, which has come under threat from years of drought, mismanagement and climate change.
“The river is our heartbeat as Barkindji people, the translation is river people,’ Barkaa explains.
“Our river is our mother; our water is our mother and heartbeat. Whenever the river is depleted, we feel down as people.”
Leroy shares: “It’s such a privilege to help convey the message in this song. The Barkandji language I used to highlight our rivers’ plight is an old way and combining it with Barkaa to fuse the old and new to say the same thing is amazing. Different generations coming together to tell our stories. I love it.”
Image: Em Jensen
The Basin is one of Australia’s most significant natural water reservoirs and agricultural regions, covering around one seventh of the Australian landmass and providing irrigation for one third of the national food supply. Nearly 95% percent of the Basin’s water is extracted for agricultural irrigation, a controversial practice in an area that only receives 6% of Australia’s total rainfall.
Prior to colonisation, the region was home to a number of Aboriginal tribes such as the Barkindji people for whom the Darling River (the Baaka) is the heartbeat and lifeblood of its people and country. The river’s future is in crisis, affecting those who depend on it.
Dropping alongside the single is the cinematically shot official video, filmed on Barkaa’s Barkindji Country. Directed by Kieran Mpetyane Satour and captured by cinematographer Ryan Andrew Lee, the visual was inspired by Barkaa’s desire to return home to show the beauty and importance of The Darling/Baaka.
“Shooting the music video on Country was so beautiful and special,” Barkaa adds.
“It was one of the most monumental moments in my career. It has been a long time coming to bring it back home and bring it on Country. I think the music video will speak for itself.”
‘Ngamaka’ by Barkaa ft. Uncle Leroy Johnson is available now.
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