William Barton has been playing the didgeridoo since the age of seven. As he says, 'the digeridoo is a language… It’s got to be a part of you, and what you do… I’m just passing it on.' 'Kalkadungu Yurdu' is an original composition by Barton, dedicated to the people of the Kalkadunga nation in Far North Western Queensland. The piece is a meditation on the theme of homelands, heritage and acknowledging the generations before us.

Kalkadungu Yurdu by William Barton in translation

Kalkadoon man Kalkadoon woman teaching young children around the campfire in the night how to dance we listen and watch it learn and we do the process ourselves

Big mob of children learn our dances around the campfire in the night we dance

Marabi the women teaches the billa billa (children)

How to dance around the campfire in the night

Read Barton's thoughts on the composition and the song in the original language.

This performance is the second in our series of short films Edinburgh is a Story, produced by Glasgow-based production company Forest of Black. The films come together to create a beautiful journey through the city. Each is filmed in an iconic Edinburgh location and creates an intimate portrait of an artist featured in this year’s Festival.

Edinburgh is a Story is part of our At Home series in partnership with abrdn. Find out more about At Home.

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