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Aboriginal families in Western Australia's north are finding ways to reclaim a sacred image that sparked rumours of Arab voyages and aliens during the early days of British exploration.
The large, looming Wandjina are spirit figures drawn on thousands of cliffs and cave walls in the Western Kimberley, and came to national prominence when they featured in the Sydney Olympic opening ceremony.
Worrora woman Leah Umbagai said they were considered sacred by three tribes in the area.
"The Wandjina is a supreme being that created the country, gave us the laws of the land, and we have to obey and follow it," she said.
Pictures fuel Australian 'alien' landing theory
The misunderstanding fuelled theories Asiatic or Middle Eastern people at one time occupied the Australian continent, and set the scene for an even more offensive proposition — that the Wandjina were drawings of aliens that visited prior to white settlement.
The theory emerged in the 1968 book Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past, which was written by Swiss author Erich von Daniken, and detailed examples of ancient civilisations that could be evidence of alien life form.
Donaldson said the theory never gained much traction.
"It was just ignorance on von Daniken's part, the kind of ignorance that goes back to the people who initially, 100 years ago, thought that Aboriginal people were not so sophisticated enough to do those paintings," he said.
"A lot of the people that come into the art centre, they ask so many questions, and yes I suppose there have been UFO sightings in America and all of that, but it just really saddens me that they say things about it," she said.
Efforts are underway to reclaim the image, including high-tech 3D imaging used to create a life-size Wandjina cave at the Mowanjum Art centre, so local Aboriginal children and tourists can learn about the importance of the rain-making spirit figure.
There are many sacred sites, initiation areas, camp sites and ceremonial grounds, belonging to the seven clans of the Bundjalung in the Nimbin valley. For example, the original Nimbin showground was built on a major ceremonial ground. In fact many showgrounds of towns and cities in Australia are built on Aboriginal ceremonial grounds, which were large cleared circular areas.
originally posted by: JesusXst
a reply to: cuckooold
I have great respect for the Maori. [typo fixed]
They have ancient stories of DreamTime we can learn from these people.
It's time to listen to ancient history rather than the cover up the Gov'ts are trying to push about it.
OPEN YOUR EYES.
Not related to Vanilla Sky although i loved that one!
Worrora woman Leah Umbagai said they were considered sacred by three tribes in the area.
"The Wandjina is a supreme being that created the country, gave us the laws of the land, and we have to obey and follow it," she said. "The Wandjina is not just a big picture on the wall, it's the trees, it's the rocks, it's the water, it's the seasons, it's everything … it lets us Wandjina people know who we are, and how to live our life."
But the history of white contact with the Wandjina is marred by misunderstanding and wild theories that remain deeply hurtful to the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wununbul tribes to this day.
The Mowanjum community represents more than one language group. Which groups are those and why were they drawn together?
Leah: There are three tribal groups. They are Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal and the tradition of the three tribes is combined under Wandjina which combines the three in shared customs and the law of country. We believe that Wandjina is the creator. He created the country, the people and the land since the beginning when people were first together.
Who is allowed to paint Wandjinas?
Leah: The Wandjinas can only be painted by the Ngarinyin, Worrorra and Wunumbal people. We have had people in the past who didn’t know the procedures and protocols for painting Wandjinas. It has really hurt us in the past that people have painted and done all sorts of stuff with Wandjinas. It only belongs to this one area. We were given Wandjina to look after this particular country and it belongs to only the three tribes. Therefore it is only the people who are Ngarinyin, Worrorra or Wunumbal who can paint Wandjinas.
I have firm belief that the shores of aussie have been visited prior 1500's.
You may be correct on that. I am on the fence, but a lot less skeptical about indigenous contact than a lot of modern tales of UFOlogyedit on 5-12-2016 by cuckooold because: (no reason given)edit on 5-12-2016 by cuckooold because: (no reason given)
"The Wandjina is a supreme being that created the country, gave us the laws of the land, and we have to obey and follow it," she said.
originally posted by: JesusXst
a reply to: bally001
Yes Maori, I fixed the typo thanks for that.
They spoke of Dream Time. This reality not being real, and that we, You and I are dreaming.
I've always been interested in it, I connect with it.
Peace
The Wandjina is a supreme being that created the country, gave us the laws of the land, and we have to obey and follow it," she said.
originally posted by: bally001
a reply to: JesusXst
Yeah okay, in context we are talking Australia. The Maori are a separate entity. Didn't know they had dreamtime. Your post is enlightening and I've learnt something. Thought they just killed and ate people pre 1800's.
Kind regards, bally