Over 35 years ago, Dr John Bradley took up a teaching position at Borroloola in the Northern Territory, at a time when Yanyuwa children were flogged for speaking their own language at school. Defying policy, John encouraged his pupils to speak in their native tongue and he, in turn, gradually learned the Yanyuwa language from the Elders.
Don’t keep history a mystery - come with us and explore some of the real history of Australia as John talks about the commentary around songs and stories, and shares tantalising snippets of his vast knowledge about the timeless nature of songlines as taught to him by the Yanyuwa people.
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How is it that oral cultures, that didn't rely on writing, could memorise and accurately hand down vast amounts of information and knowledge for millennia?
Garminungeena, Jenny Thompson, talks about the importance and sacredness of song in Aboriginal culture; and demonstrates how deep emotions expressed through mournful wailing and singing, and the practice of deep listening to others and to Nature, can help in healing personal and planetary pain. Garmi concludes the final part of her podcast with a message from the heart that it is time for all of us to "weave in a new Dreaming".
In this part 3 (of 4) of Garminungeena, Jenny Thompson’s chat with me, Garmi recounts the traditional Dreaming story of Nungeena, and discusses how healing groundwaters underlie some song- and ley lines.
We also discuss the connection to land, and how the individual energy or spirit of a place can be felt even if you’ve never been there before.
In this part 2 (of 4), Garminungeena, Jenny Thompson, tells us about the land acquisition for the Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation, and talks about the importance of women’s business and family.
Garmi also recounts the Dreaming story of three of the sacred mountains now known as the Glass House Mountains, and talks about the Seven Sisters songline. |
More about meI am a non-indigenous Australian yearning to learn about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage - the real history of this country. These podcast episodes are not my stories - I am just a conduit. The stories come from the hearts and minds of the people who tell them. I hope you enjoy listening to these incredible stories as much as I do! Archives
October 2018
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