Gallery: The best of Barunga 2018

The iconic Barunga Festival in the Northern Territory drew it's biggest crowd yet for it's 33rd year.

Barunga Festival 2018 Northern Territory

The crowds at this years Barunga Festival were its biggest in 30 years. Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

The women from Yuendumu danced for the crowds. Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

Last weekend the immersive cultural event filled the small community, situated 80 kilometres southeast of Katherine, with music, dance, art and sport.

Three young men dance at Barunga 2018. Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

For more than three decades the festival has been inviting visitors from surrounding communities, interstate and overseas to connect with and learn about First Nations culture.

A Yidaki player takes to the stage. Source: NITV, Justin Rule

Andy Peters told NITV News he likes seeing his community come alive with people.

"I like having all the people around here, we see big mob people come here from all around Australia and the world."

Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

The festival first began in 1985, and has been the birthplace of many political promises.

At the three-day celebration 30 years ago, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke was handed the Barunga Statement, and he promised a Treaty.

Source: NITV, Justin Rule

This year, the promise of a Treaty emerged yet again, with Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner

signing a Memorandum of Understanding

with the four land councils, pledging to work towards a Treaty with the First Nations people of the NT.

Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

The festival also had Yidaki making workshops, basket weaving sessions, and a spear throwing competition.

Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

The festival is a place where mob from all over come to catch up with each other and enjoy the sport, music, art and dance.

Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

Some of Australia's biggest up-and-coming Indigenous musicians also performed at this year's event.

Barunga Festival 2018 Northern Territory Yirrmal Marika

Source: NITV, Elliana Lawford

Yirrmal Marika told NITV News: "It makes me proud to be a new generation Indigenous musician and to sing powerfully and firm with my spirit and my ancestors looking at me."