Pronounced "yo-thoo yin-dee," this expression translates from Yolngu matha to English as "child and mother." Yothu Yindi is essentially a kinship term referring to the connection that the Yolngu (Australian Aboriginal) clans of the northeastern Arnhem Land have between themselves.

Yothu Yindi is also the name of Australia's most successful aboriginal music group. In the pieces below, you can hear some Yoan themes in their visionary music.

Dots on the Shell

Like the lines on your face,
The answer is here.
And the light's in your eyes
Don't hide it away.
Like the dots on the shell,
They shine.

Djapana (Sunset Dreaming)

Wo djapana Wo warwu Wo rramani Wo galanggarri Djapana wlutju Dhurulama ngunhawarrtji djapana Warwu galanggarri Rripa ngunhawarrtji djapana Warwu golungnha Look at the sun Falling from the sky And the sunset Takes my mind Back to my homeland Far away It is a story Planted in my mind Itís so clear I remember Oh my, oh my, Sunset dreaming

Wo djapana Wo warwu Wo rramani Wo galanggarri Hey, you people Out there How come You ain't fair To the people Of the land Try my, try my, Sunset dreaming Wo djapana Wo warwu Wo rramani Wo galanggarri Djappana warwu Djekulu dhurulangala Wlutju warwu Rripa ngunhawarrtj i Dhurulama ñ dhurulama Djapana warwu golungnha

Wo djapana Wo warwu Wo rramani Wo galanggarri Hey, you children Of the land Don't be fooled By the Balanda ways It will cause Sorrow and woe For our people And our land Wo djapana Wo warwu Wo rramani Wo galanggarri So live it up Live it up Live it up Live it up With sunset dreaming.