Home History & Culture People Notes from the field: An immersive experience

Notes from the field: An immersive experience

Photojournalist Em Jensen at the this year's Mutawintji Cultural Festival. Image credit: Selen Nazmiye Bilal

She’d only recently moved – in the last 18 months – from Melbourne to the area. “So, this was my first time attending the [Mutawintji Cultural] festival. But I felt immensely privileged to have been able to not
only capture the experience but also to participate,” Em said. 

“Mutawintji itself is an incredibly magical place; the feeling of it being sacred and ancient country is palpable as soon as you set foot on the red earth there. Watching the dance groups perform in the dust as the sun set each evening was a highlight. 

“Everyone sat on the hill surrounding the amphitheatre, warmed by campfires as they watched on. It’s easy work to document something so raw and beautiful. Having conversations with organisers, dancers and rangers, it was evident how important and meaningful this gathering is.”

Em quickly realised the only way to cover this intensive, creative event, put on by people from far-flung locations, was to jump on board, literally, and delve into what was happening behind the scenes. As her gorgeous photos attest, it was clearly the right approach to take.

Her guides were Jaymie Norris, area manager for NSW National Parks and Wildlife in the West Darling, and Luke Driscoll, a Wiradjuri man and CEO of the Barkandji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation that oversees this part of the NSW Far West.

“They were so busy that the only way to catch them for a chat was to jump in the ute with them as they ran errands. This allowed me to see all the behind-the-scenes of the event – like a team of volunteers and rangers preparing a kangaroo to be cooked for a communal dinner.

 “This cultural festival runs on the spirit and hard work of the Traditional Owners and local rangers who work tirelessly to create a wonderful event in celebration of culture. I can’t wait to attend again next year!”

Read the full feature story, written and photographed by Em Jensen:

Related: The magic of Mutawintji

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