THE SONG MASTER by Di Morrissey

Author:Di Morrissey [Morrissey, Di]
Format: epub
Publisher: PANAUS
Published: 2010-03-23T15:42:37+00:00

Back at Marrenyikka it was Alistair, holding another mug of tea, who recounted the events of the afternoon, prompted here and there by Mick and Beth, to a gathering of everyone in the Barradja camp.

‘Initially, we got off to a rocky start. But they were prepared to listen to us explain our situation, and they explained theirs, and we were invited in for tea and bikkies.’ He smiled at Mick Duffy. ‘Possibly, all those years of persuasive argument have not been wasted.’

‘So whose move next?’ asked Alan.

‘Yes, do we get to see the art or not?’ Veronica was impatient.

‘We do,’ said Beth. ‘Thanks to you all. The Steeles will allow us to go onto Eagle Rock with the Barradja elders. They are agreeable to the holding of ceremonies – but definitely no more outsiders, like us!’

‘Why not? It doesn’t seem at all reasonable.’ Veronica was puzzled.

‘They don’t want the elders taking visitors onto their land. End of story,’ said Beth.

‘Why not?’

‘They could be thinking of doing what a lot of pastoralists are starting to do to supplement their incomes – take visitors over their land to show them the cave paintings. They’d have to get official permission if they did it in a formal way, though.’

Barwon reacted angrily. ‘The Barradja own the paintings and know them better than the pastoralists, right, Ardjani?’

‘Only we really know the whole story of the paintings. The Wandjina and ancestor spirits tell us. You explain to them, Beth.’

She drew a breath. ‘It’s not just relating a fable attached to an illustration. There are spiritual and custodial obligations and laws attached to them. Only the Barradja understand the full details. No outsider, just looking at them, can possibly begin to understand the depth of meaning. And the stories aren’t in writing. They’re part of one of the oldest oral traditions on earth.’

Ardjani stood. ‘We Barradja people say thank you. Today was a good day.’ A slow smile spread across his face and he tipped the edge of his hat in appreciation.

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