30-05-2025
Feature Video: Barkaa ft. Leroy Johnson - Ngamaka
In 'Ngamaka', the stunning natural beauty of Far Western NSW landscapes and waterways belies a much deeper message in this week's powerful Feature Video from Barkaa and Leroy Johnson.
Written to raise awareness about the plight of the Murray-Darling Basin (from its rapid depletion due to the worsening effects of climate change, farming irrigation and corporate mining) the Blak Matriarch of Aussie Hip Hop Barkaa and fellow Malyapana/Barkindji artist and elder, Uncle Leroy Johnson, have banded together to highlight the cultural, social and spiritual significance of the Darling River (the Baaka) to the Barkindji people.
'Ngamaka is the Barkindji word for mother / mum', Barkaa explains. 'The river is our heartbeat as Barkindji people, the translation is river people. Our river is our mother; our water is our mother and heartbeat. Whenever the river is depleted, we feel down as people.'
Directed by Gurindji/Malngin, Pertame Arrernte, and Worimi artist Kieran Mpetyane Satour, 'Ngamaka' was filmed on Barkindji Country, with visuals inspired by Barkaa's desire to return home to show the beauty and importance of The Darling/Baaka. 'It was so deadly to be able to work with Barkaa and Leroy Johnson on 'Ngamaka' but was even more special to be able to shoot this on Barkindji country with the mob' says Kieran. 'We were lucky while shooting that the river was up but this is a very rare occurrence these days due to the siphoning off of water for commercial purposes. Mother earth is sacred. Our lakes and rivers are the bloodlines of our people and need to be protected at all costs. Ngamaka is a testament to mother, an ode to country and a calling back to the old ways of our people that is about care not commerce.'
'Shooting the music video on Country was so beautiful and special' agrees Barkaa. '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.'
'It's such a privilege to help convey the message in this song' adds Leroy. '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.'
