There's something different about the Swan edition of Noongar Lullabies. The clue is in the album name Maaman Weitj (Man Emu).

Maaman Weitj is the eighth edition of Noongar Lullabies, a program designed by Community Arts Network to revive Noongar language and culture through story, music and song. Led by Noongar artists, the program sees Noongar community members creeate and record original songs, written and performed in language. What's special about this edition of Noongar Lullabies is that it's the first time that all those community members are men.

Like the male emu of the album's title, who shares responsibility for both incubating eggs and raising young, this album challenges gender assumptions, celebrating the strength of Noongar men as caregivers and nurturers, as well as leaders.

The lullabies in Maaman Weitj were written and recorded by members of the Moorditj Maaman Men's Group, a joint venture between Indigo Junction and the City of Swan, led by Noongar creatives Cyndy Moody, Kobi Arthur Morrison and Sharyn Egan. Workshops covering song-writing, language, doll-making and storytelling fuelled the creative process, seeding an idea about honouring the revered Noongar leader Yagan, whose story appears in the song Booraka Yagan.

We're proud to invite families to sing along with these gentle yet powerful lullabies.