I.B.I.S stands for Island Board of Industry and Services, a little local store on a few of the islands. In this work, Choreographers Deborah Brown and Waangenga Blanco created a fictional I.B.I.S store where the people are modern day hunters and gatherers. They charted the evolution of this small trading company to how it’s grown through the commitment and engagement of the Torres Strait people to make it the strong entity it is today.

This production features the First Nations languages Kala Lagaw Ya (Central & Western Torres Strait Islands) and Meriam Mir (Eastern Torres Strait Islands).

Sections of I.B.I.S

Debe Idim (Good Morning) - It’s morning on the island. The community begins to stir
Ni Ngoe Dhe Goiga (You are My Sunshine)
Gathering
Tup Song (Sardine Song)
Waru (Turtle) - It’s egg laying season. The men are called to gather their prized turtle eggs
Stalking
Turtle Egg
Neck Tie
Freezer - Back in the store, what will we find in the freezer section?
Cool Down
Rising Water
Crayfish
Debe Ki (Good Night) - It’s closing time but the community still shines
Re-Gather
Company Rice
Lore
Ooura (Kir Kir Keber Dance)

Duration: 40 minutes

I.B.I.S premiered in 2015 as part of the double bill Lore, which included Sheoak and I.B.I.S.