Only two days away, Barunga Festival, has maintained its position as one of Australia's most important cultural events.

Held over three days, from this Friday, the small town 80 kilometers southeast of Katherine, will attract over 4000 people from across the Northern Territory and beyond.

"With an audience of over 65 per cent First Nations attendees, the event has become an important and immersive experience for both First Nations Australians and travellers seeking genuine connections with Australia's thriving cultural history," a spokesman said.

This year's line up will includes Mambali, a nine-piece band from Numbulwar, who have just gained nationwide attention after playing Nannup Festival, Nabarlek Band, Wagilak and the Australian Art Orchestra, Billy Jack, Justine Clarke, Wire MC, Sang Mei Chang, Tasman Keith, Mick Coates and Archer.

Once again the people of Barunga have extended an invitation to the First Nations cultures of Taiwan, the spokesman said, welcoming singer Sang Mei-Chuan from the Taiwanese Paiwan tribe.

"Sang is the youngest child of her family, and due to the senior age of her parents only spoke in her native tongue until schooling age where the government enforced a policy forbidding her to speak in her mother language," he said.

"Now, she works from her studio in Chingshan village teaching children the traditional songs of the Paiwan people and will bring the story of that unique experience to Barunga."

"Music is of great importance to the Taiwan First Nations Peoples, especially to the Paiwan tribe. Music and songs not only record our daily lifestyles and express emotions but also record our histories, beliefs and cultural identity," Sang Mei-Chuan said.

"Tribal music and songs are like roots that absorb the nutrients from the land in Taiwan.

"For those First Nations groups that do not have writing systems, music and songs are one of the most important mediums in passing down their cultural identity."

Following the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declaring 2019 the year of Indigenous Languages, this year's theme is Indigenous Languages.

For more information and the full program, visit the website here

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