In 2023, six of the nine National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) went to Northern Territory artists; in 2022, it was five of eight. It’s a reflection of both talent and the broadening recognition of the music of First Nations artists from remote communities. This year, all the NT winners are from Arnhem Land.
Ngulmiya Nundhirribala, whose album Ngulmiya won the Indigenous Language Award, is a singer, songman, dancer and ceremony leader from Numbulwar, in south-east Arnhem Land. He’s been taking his Wubuy and Anindilyakwa languages to the world since winning four trophies in the 2022 NT Music Awards, playing in Portugal, Slovakia and Singapore, among other places.
