Description
Discover the profound narratives of Aboriginal life in Sydney from 1788 onward with *What the Colonists Never Knew*. This enlightening book, authored by Dennis, the grandson of Clarice Malinda Lougher, the last practicing matriarch of the Gai-mariagal clan, offers readers an intimate glimpse into the cultural heritage that thrived alongside colonization. Through vivid storytelling, Dennis shares personal memories from his childhood, showcasing a Sydney landscape rich with totemic sites, ceremonial practices, and ancient songlines. Meet influential figures like Uncle Willie de Serve and Nanna Watson, who embody the resilience and wisdom of Aboriginal culture.
This book narrates the heart-wrenching stories of the stolen generations, exploring the impact of colonization while emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and the preservation of Aboriginal lore. Gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs faced by the Gai-mariagal through Dennis's heartfelt reflections. *What the Colonists Never Knew* is more than just a historical account; it's a call to honor and safeguard the cultural richness of Australia, fostering a renewed appreciation for Aboriginal heritage. With its compelling mix of anecdotal remembrance and insightful commentary, this book is a significant addition to Australian literature, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the true history of Aboriginal life.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781921953392
Year: 2020
Publisher: National Museum of Australia
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781921953392
Year: 2020
Publisher: National Museum of Australia
Description:
What the Colonists Never Knew paints a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up Aboriginal in Sydney, alongside the colonists, from 1788 to the present.
Dennis, the grandson ofClarice Malinda Lougher, the last practising matriarch of the Gai-mariagal clan, was immersed in cultural knowledge and lore from an early age.Through his eyes we see a Sydney of totemic landscapes resonating with ceremonial sites and ancestral activity, song-lines and walking tracks, habitat caves and middens, and share memories of what has been lost.
At Narrabeen camp in the 1950s we meet Uncle Willie de Serve, a man who wore the scarifications of his ritual life and mentored the young Dennis. 'His face was alive with a thousand stories.'
Dennis also introduces us to Nanna Watson, who lived in a little humpy at Car-rang gel (North Head). 'On a hot summer's afternoon, she would hitch her dress up round her knees and wriggle around in the sand to get a couple of ugaries (pipis), chew one up and spit it into the water and put the other one on the line, and before you knew it she'd have a big whiting or a bream.'
Through the stories so generously told we may reflect on what it means to be a stolen child and one of the 'silent generations', and to fight to safeguard culture and identity. We can sense the responsibility of being the senior Gai-mariagal and the last of the storytellers, and the urgency to document and share the knowledge bestowed on him by generations of his family.
'This is a mesmerising read. It flows from rich anecdotal remembrance loaded with song and lore to incisive commentary about legislati
This book narrates the heart-wrenching stories of the stolen generations, exploring the impact of colonization while emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and the preservation of Aboriginal lore. Gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs faced by the Gai-mariagal through Dennis's heartfelt reflections. *What the Colonists Never Knew* is more than just a historical account; it's a call to honor and safeguard the cultural richness of Australia, fostering a renewed appreciation for Aboriginal heritage. With its compelling mix of anecdotal remembrance and insightful commentary, this book is a significant addition to Australian literature, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the true history of Aboriginal life.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781921953392
Year: 2020
Publisher: National Museum of Australia
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781921953392
Year: 2020
Publisher: National Museum of Australia
Description:
What the Colonists Never Knew paints a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up Aboriginal in Sydney, alongside the colonists, from 1788 to the present.
Dennis, the grandson ofClarice Malinda Lougher, the last practising matriarch of the Gai-mariagal clan, was immersed in cultural knowledge and lore from an early age.Through his eyes we see a Sydney of totemic landscapes resonating with ceremonial sites and ancestral activity, song-lines and walking tracks, habitat caves and middens, and share memories of what has been lost.
At Narrabeen camp in the 1950s we meet Uncle Willie de Serve, a man who wore the scarifications of his ritual life and mentored the young Dennis. 'His face was alive with a thousand stories.'
Dennis also introduces us to Nanna Watson, who lived in a little humpy at Car-rang gel (North Head). 'On a hot summer's afternoon, she would hitch her dress up round her knees and wriggle around in the sand to get a couple of ugaries (pipis), chew one up and spit it into the water and put the other one on the line, and before you knew it she'd have a big whiting or a bream.'
Through the stories so generously told we may reflect on what it means to be a stolen child and one of the 'silent generations', and to fight to safeguard culture and identity. We can sense the responsibility of being the senior Gai-mariagal and the last of the storytellers, and the urgency to document and share the knowledge bestowed on him by generations of his family.
'This is a mesmerising read. It flows from rich anecdotal remembrance loaded with song and lore to incisive commentary about legislati