We are ‘The Fighting Gunditjmara’ Traditional Aboriginal Dance Group who promote the existence of a living culture in the 21st century. Our group’s influence derives from our Ancestor’s with the need to profoundly, prolifically and proudly promote our identity and ‘The Fighting Gundijtmara’ Spirit. Our group provides powerful and dynamic performances through traditional methods and modern technolo
gy that will provide audiences with a unique experience. The Fighting Gunditjmara can tailor performances to suit all audiences and events. During the early 1820’s up until the late 1830’s the Gunditjmara people waged a war to defend their country across the Budj Bim (Mt. The ferocity and passion shown by the warriors gave way to what is now known as the Eumerella War and those warriors became the first in a long line of the ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’. The term ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’ was given to our warriors by the people who had fought against them, our old people didn’t lay their spears on the ground and say, here is my land come and take it. Now throughout time the Gunditjmara have served to defend their country against threat. When the world was called to arms in the first and second world war Gunditjmara warriors answered the call, those warriors carried their ancestors spirit with them in battle and continued the legacy of the Fighting Gunditjmara. Every generation of Gunditjmara have left a mark on time and have added to the legacy of warrior culture in defense of country. These stories are passed on to us as part of our history by our elders. Today we carry that warrior spirit with us and have become the living embodiment of the ‘Fighting Gunditjmara’. Gunditjmara nation is a diverse country made up of volcanic plains, Lakes, Rivers, forest, coastal plains and sea country. Our people adapted to the landscape and constructed permanent housing such as huts made of volcanic rocks. The Kerrupgunditj Clan also utilised the volcanic rocks to construct weirs and channels for the trapping of eels and fish, better known as ‘the fish traps’ by Gunditjmara people. Gunditjmara country is located in Victoria's south-west region. Our country is within the boundries east of the Glenelg River, south of the Wannon River, west of the Hopkins River and north of the sea is the traditional country of Gunditjmara Nation (Dhauwurd Wurrung language group). West of the Glenelg River is the traditional Country of the Boandik (or Buandig) and to the north of the Glenelg and Wannon, the Jardwadjali. Gunditjmara people have occupied this country for many thousands of years. All five members of The Fighting Gunditjmara Aboriginal Dance Group have been performing for many years promoting culture throughout Victoria, the Nation and the World. All members of The Fighting Gundijtmara are selected because they live the following principles:
1. Respecting our culture.
2. Demonstrating that they are a bearer of culture.
3. Maintaining our culture.
4. Upholding the dignity and values of our ancestors and
5. Proudly promoting our identity as The Fighting Gunditjmara.
