During one of our trips across the north of WA we managed to
be in Derby on the weekend of a cultural festival. Everywhere we went in town
people were urging us to go that evening. I think it cost us $5 to park the car
and it was one of most interesting evening we have ever had.
The local artist had displays, the schools kids had displays
of work and craft and there was an enormous variety of food and music. We attended the night of
the children’s corroboree. There were mostly kids dances as well as
performances by some of the very elderly elders. The kids were dressed up and took their roles seriously.
The little children had glow sticks that they put around their
necks and then they ran all over the grounds and climbed the trees. After dark
there were circles of light in every tree, moving constantly and the air rang
with giggles. They chased each other through the crowd, and across the arena.
K found me a seat to watch the dancing and went to get me
food. A very nice indigenous lady decided she was my friend and was really
impressed with kind, polite, and helpful man. She was very keen to take
us back to her camp for the night and show him off to her sisters. I think if I
had not hung on really hard I might have lost K.
I was not teaching in remote schools at the time so this was
my first look at indigenous culture. I have since attended a couple of festivals but this one stands out because it was so friendly.
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| Party time. Dancing to the band. |
We had a great night.
Have to go back sometime.
Cheers Sue
A Ferg on the Move
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