Life in the Fast Lane

In a most unlikely synthesis of cultures, Greek goes Aboriginal as 10 barefoot performers in loin cloths and ceremonial white body paint perform their smoldering rendition of the classic dance Zorba the Greek.

The indigenous performers — called the Chooky Dancers — have become a sensation on YouTube with nearly 500,000 viewers world-wide including the legendary Zorba composer Mikis Theodorakis since the video was posted in October 2007, thrusting them into the international limelight.

The short film was recorded before a small audience at an indigenous festival in a sports hall in Arnhem Land, a vast traditional tribal area in the Northern Territory. The dance has only been performed in Arnhemland, but invitations have flooded in for the dance troupe from across Australia. There is even talk of a tour of Greece in mid-2008 as guests of Theodorakis.

The young men aged between 12 and 23 will travel to Melbourne in February to compete in Channel 7 talent search Australia’s Got Talent.

“We’ve been invited by the composer and we’re probably looking at some time [around] June, July, possibly August.” local radio announcer Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy, who filmed the dance and posted it on YouTube said.

“It’s just amazing.” dance organizer Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy told the Daily Telegraph. “We can’t believe it’s become so popular. It would be great to perform it in front of bigger audiences.”

“It’s more up-tempo than the original Zorba the Greek dance. Crowds always love it, but we had no idea it would become a smash hit.” Frank said.

The clip has apparently been shown on the Greek island of Kastelorizo, where it was projected on a large screen in a town square.

The idea for the unique dancing styles was the brainchild of Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy’s 19-year-old son Lionel and the lead dancer, who had listened to his father’s tape of the music from Zorba The Greek, the 1964 film starring Anthony Quinn.

The Chooky Dancers are Yolngu people from Elcho Island, which lies off the coast of Arnhem Land, where locals still hunt traditional “bush tucker” such as mud crabs, turtles and dugongs.

Community elders believe they are important role models for other Aborigines, whose communities face high levels of unemployment and ill health as well as drug and alcohol abuse, and all the other social problems which afflict many Aboriginal settlements.

Their project began as a way of keeping fit and of staving off boredom, but job offers have begun to pour in for the group.

The Chooky Dancers have also choreographed an Aboriginal-style Bollywood dance, and might even consider a Cossack routine.

“You never know with these fellas.” said Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy. “They can do just about anything.”

Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy, from Milingimbi, has been in the Indigenous Media Industry and worked independently in Music and Film for many years, and a long-standing member and supporter of the Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association, TEABBA Radio.

Frank can be reached by email at f_garawirrtja@yahoo.com or 0427 801 699 by phone, and messages can be left with TEABBA Radio at 89 390 400.

Zorba the Greek Aboriginal Style

Zorba the Greek Aboriginal Style Take 2

Sources: Daily Telegraph, Telegraph and BBC News

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