Maningrida's Ripple Effect Band have released their debut album, 'Mayawa'.

'Mayawa' is more than a music album; it reflects the band's stories as mothers, daughters and sisters, sung in their native languages.

The album weaves traditional ceremonies with modern rhythms, highlighting their heritage while capturing the essence of their current lives.

Through each song, the band offers listeners a connection between past and future generations.

To mark the album's release the band also announced upcoming tour dates across New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria, totalling 11 stops in November.

"I'm deeply proud of this community, especially the Dhukurrdji, the traditional landowners, and my mum, who is a djungay [caretaker of the spirits]," band member Rachel Thomas said.

"This song was created with them in mind.

"As people recall Cyclone Monica, some in our community may feel sadness and think about the Djómi spirits."

The spirit of 'Mayawa' shines through tracks like 'Na-kalamandjarda' and 'Nameyarra,' which honour Country in the endangered Na-Kara language.

Band member Rona Lawrence said Na-kalamandjarda came to her after a camping and hunting trip, leading her to text the lyrics to Jodie at 1am.

"We went camping on Country and hunting at Na-kalamandjarda," she said.

"When we came home, that night, I woke up and had the song in my mind, it came up into my mind.

"I couldn't sleep and I didn't have a pen and paper, so I texted Jodie all the lyrics of the song. It was 1am in the morning."

Another key track is 'Cyclone,' telling the story of Cyclone Monica in 2006.

As the storm approached Maningrida, locals saw Djómi ancestral spirits confront the winds, causing the cyclone to turn away, saving many lives.

The song features Rachel Thomas' mother, Lena Djábbiba, singing the spirits' song, making it the first recording of this Dhukurrdji story.

'Mayawa' closes with a live recording of 'People from Maningrida,' capturing the joy and spirit of the band's community.

The album reflects Ripple Effect Band's journey, celebrating their deep connection to heritage and authenticity.

After years of production and intercultural collaboration, they have created more than just an album—it's a living tapestry of their shared experiences and ancestral stories.

Mayawa is now available on all major streaming services.