Classical Aboriginal culture in Australia consists of many different kinds of ceremonies, including travelling ceremonies that are often shared across linguistic and geographical boundaries. Each of these ceremonies is made up of dozens of different verses. Perhaps the most widely known travelling ceremony is one referred to in some areas as ‘Wanji-wanji’. This was known over half the country and dates back at least 170 years, as evidenced in eleven legacy recordings and fieldwork interviewing more than 100 people across the western half of Australia. Like any oral tradition, the names of such ceremonies vary from place to place and from individual to individual. The extent to which a ceremony was known can thus only be seen through analysis of the music itself, rather than through reference to its names. This study analyses the most widely known verse in this ceremony, which we refer to as the Wanji-wanji verse. We identify the similarities and differences of the Wanji-wanji verse across legacy recordings spanning fifty years across three states. The most significant variation can be seen in the northern and southern peripheries of its ‘broadcast’ footprint. Our fieldwork has involved repatriating audio recordings to their communities of origin and sharing knowledge about the extent to which the ceremony was known. By implication, this activity has equipped custodians with the knowledge and confidence to potentially revive this once immensely popular ceremony.

澳大利亚的古典土著文化由许多不同类型的仪式组成，包括经常跨越语言和地理界限共享的旅行仪式。这些仪式中的每一个都由几十个不同的经文组成。也许最广为人知的旅行仪式在某些地区被称为“Wanji-wanji”。这在半个国家都为人所知，至少可以追溯到 170 年前，11 份遗产录音和实地调查对澳大利亚西半部的 100 多人进行了采访就证明了这一点。像任何口头传统一样，这种仪式的名称因地而异，因人而异。因此，人们对仪式的了解程度只能通过对音乐本身的分析来判断，而不是通过对其名称的参考。本研究分析了这个仪式中最广为人知的诗句，我们称之为万吉万吉诗。我们在跨越 50 年的三个州的传统录音中确定了 Wanji-wanji 诗的异同。在其“广播”足迹的北部和南部外围可以看到最显着的变化。我们的实地工作包括将录音带回原籍社区，并分享有关仪式的知名度的知识。言外之意，这项活动为保管人提供了知识和信心，有可能重振这个曾经非常受欢迎的仪式。我们在跨越 50 年的三个州的传统录音中确定了 Wanji-wanji 诗的异同。在其“广播”足迹的北部和南部外围可以看到最显着的变化。我们的实地工作包括将录音带回原籍社区，并分享有关仪式的知名度的知识。言外之意，这项活动为保管人提供了知识和信心，有可能重振这个曾经非常受欢迎的仪式。我们在跨越 50 年的三个州的传统录音中确定了 Wanji-wanji 诗的异同。在其“广播”足迹的北部和南部外围可以看到最显着的变化。我们的实地工作包括将录音带回原籍社区，并分享有关仪式的知名度的知识。言外之意，这项活动为保管人提供了知识和信心，有可能重振这个曾经非常受欢迎的仪式。