A powerful story of survival, return and cultural renewal will take centre stage at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) 2026 when Western Gu Gu Yalanji performers present Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly.
Presented by Kawanji Dancers on Saturday 11 July, the performance draws on a generations-old songline that connects the Imbala, the Western Gu Gu Yalanji name for butterfly, to Country, spirit and the enduring strength of cultural knowledge.
The performance aligns closely with CIAF’s 2026 theme, Reclamation & Regeneration, reclaiming Western Gu Gu Yalanji and Kawanji cultural knowledge through Elders’ stories while regenerating it through contemporary performance, language, movement and intergenerational storytelling.
The story of the Imbala centres on a significant oral history of the Kawanji Brady Family. Uncle Qawanji recounted how a devastating fire swept through Country, burning everything in its path.
Despite the destruction, the butterflies survived.
For Uncle Qawanji, a Kawanji Senior Custodian, the story became a powerful symbol of cultural continuity and resilience and is now the inspiration for a new documentary by Article One and Jawiyaba Warra Aboriginal Corporation.
“There was a fire here in the summertime, the wrong time for a fire, and it burnt everything to cinders, but it didn’t affect the butterflies,” Uncle Qawanji said.
“There is a spirit here rooted in the earth, and we call that the songline, the energy.
“To know that story and to know they didn’t become extinct means the songline is still strong.”
The significance of the story deepened when descendants of the Jawiyaba Warra people returned to Country after families were forcibly removed to Palm Island and rediscovered the butterfly habitat near Two Brothers Mountain, a sacred initiation site.
The moment reinforced the truth of the story carried by Elders across generations and strengthened efforts to preserve and revitalise the language, stories and cultural traditions of Western Gu Gu Yalanji Country.
Drawing inspiration from the opening and closing movement of butterfly wings, Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly shares a family story passed down through generations. Through movement, song and storytelling, the performance explores the origins of the Cape York “shake-a-leg” dance tradition. Dancers wear body markings representing the butterfly’s legs, bringing this ancient songline to life for contemporary audiences.
CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn said the production exemplified the festival’s commitment to celebrating living cultural traditions.
“Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly is a powerful expression of reclamation and regeneration in action,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
“Through dance, story and language, Kawanji Dancers are ensuring important cultural knowledge remains alive and connected to future generations.
“It is a privilege to share this story with CIAF audiences and celebrate the resilience and strength of Western Gu Gu Yalanji culture.”
The performance is complemented by a screening of the documentary exploring the Imbala story and its connection to Country, spirit and cultural identity, further supporting the preservation and sharing of cultural knowledge.
Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly
- Presented by Kawanji Dancers
- Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
- Time: 2.00 pm – 2.45 pm
- Venue: Tank 5, CIAF 2026
CIAF 2026 At a Glance
- Theme: Reclamation & Regeneration
- Dates: 9–12 July 2026
- Location: Tanks Arts Centre and satellite venues across Gimuy/Cairns
- Tickets: Available via CIAF Official Website
