Fascination

Thursday, 08 July, 2004 by Donna V. Whitmore

Auntie Molly has offered to teach me the art of making Damper bread and scones. I will forego today's dances to do so. Damper bread cannot be bought in a store; thus my desire to see how it is done.

Well, Molly had to accompany the kids from the Day Care Center, where she works each day, to the park, so we missed our baking lesson but will get together on Friday morning.

Our group learned lots more about Aboriginies' art and language, which is almost lost to them. We also had a rare cleansing of our tent by the Aboriginal dancers late in the afternoon. After the tent was cleansed, each of our group also was cleansed to assure the "bad spirits" would depart it and us and only good spirits would remain for the duration of our stay. The ceremony was moving, serious and very traditional. After each person's personal cleansing, a white band of paint was traced across the forehead to be worn there until the next day. (Some of us later went to Target in Hervey Bay, white bands across our foreheads, and shopped while other shoppers stared; several people asked about the white stripe and we carefully explained.)

In the evening, Ted came to the Community and gave us an in-depth explanation of the Aborigines' tools and hunting methods. We saw and held very beautiful wood implements made by his hands. Ted demonstrated their unbelieveable balance and the Aboriginies' deep caring for the balance of man and nature. He promised to come back with his implements and allow us to handle and learn to use them.

Word for the day: FASCINATION