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Djawa Burarrawanga and Witij Gurruwiwi
share a healing vision
2.00 - 5 pm Sunday 24 August 2003
hosted by Culture Lab International
68 Yellow Rock Road, Yellow Rock, Lower Blue Mountains
$10.00 at door to help with costs
The aim is to share traditional wisdom and culture,
not as objects of study or fashion, but as ways of knowing and living to
be embodied. As global cultures become homogenised blocks,
the world views carried by Indigenous people worldwide become critically
endangered 'species'. Tribal people on every continent are voicing
their concern at the state of the world and many of their leaders want
to share knowledge they hold for the good of all beings and the Earth.
Djawa and Witij will talk about the broad
vision of true and deep reciprocal sharing of Law and knowledge to build
right relationships among all people in this land. Integral to this is
the vision of 'three way healing' spoken of by Arnhem Land Elders such
as Djalu Gurruwiwi. It's healing between and among 3 groups. 1. Traditional
Aboriginal people. 2. Non-indigenous people. 3. Indigenous people who have
been dispossessed of Law and Land. A fourth element is healing
our relationship with the Earth.
'This is for healing.' Djalu
The Spirit of the Land Foundation was founded
in 1997 Diana James and Nganyinytja who is a Pitjantjatjara woman fondly
regarded as one of the great elders of Central Australia . They worked
together for over twenty years recording, teaching and speaking on the
importance of Indigenous knowledge to all people living in Australia today.
The Foundation is a non-profit cultural corporation established with Pitjantjatjara
people to further cross-cultural knowledge and understanding. The big vision
is building bridges of understanding between Indigenous and Western cultures
worldwide. The Foundation fully supports Opening the Way for
a ceremonial healing gathering of men and women in 2004.
'If we cease to listen to the Land how
can we hear each other.' Nganyinytja
Djawa lives in Eastern Arnhem Land and
is a member of the Elders Council. He has major commitments in his community and is custodian of significant Law.
He wants to share his culture with the world and build a centre in Arnhem Land to promote reciprocal sharing of knowledge.
Witij is the Yolngu name of John Allan
from Northern NSW. He is the first non - Yolngu empowered as a custodian
of the Rainbow Serpent (Witij) Dreaming by senior elders of the Galpu Clan.
This empowerment happened in an extraordinary gathering in Northern NSW
in 2001. Major law was shared there and the first level of sharing (GARMA)
was opened. The way is open now for the next level (GANMA). A symbol of
Ganma is a deep pool where the waters of ocean and land meet. The
fresh and salt water mingle in a complex and dynamic balance that's rich
in life. Too much of one and the balance is lost.
'We are all human beings we can all share
knowledge' Mowaljarlai
Witij (John) is charged with the responsibility
of calling Yolngu elders to ceremony to open the next level of sharing with the wider Australian and international community.
He was made custodian 'for the non-Yolngu community', to act as a bridge ~ with the full endorsement and recognition of the Elders.
For further information, 02 4754 5081 or info@culturelab.org.au
The event will be hosted in the garden of Culture Lab International,
68 Yellow Rock Road, Yellow Rock, Lower Blue Mountains
Directions:
Take the Winmalee, Hawkesbury Road exit from Great Western
Highway at Springwood.
4.3 km turn right into Singles Ridge Road (just after the Garden Centre)
4.6 km turn left into Yellow Rock Road
700 m No. 68 is first drive way on left after sealed road ends
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