AustLit

'Like many other Aboriginal song traditions, the song tradition that forms the focus of Melodies of Mourning, namely women’s crying songs (ngäthimanikay), is highly endangered and has been repeatedly identified as such by Yolngu associated with the National Recording Project for Indigenous Performance in Australia (Anon. 2007). Given the fragility of this tradition, and the fact that the loss of song traditions have major implications for their owners, for the health of communities and of individuals, and for the national heritage, this book is particularly welcome and timely.' (Introduction)