We will get away from the Fauna for a little bit, this is what makes a hunter. The spear and the Boomerang do the work but the ceremony implied by the didgeridoo as The Most Important part. Anyone who saw the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy" had to be move when the leading San Tribesman killed the goat because he was hungry, but took the time to explain to the goat why it was all necessary and expressed his thanks for what the goat was doing for him, this type of respect is what is missing in OUR lives. Don't get me wrong there is real respect in operating the spear and the boomerang. I saw a documentary on the making of Storm Boy (An Aussie Classic Movie) which had as it's main star David Gulpilil, who just prior to a scene was handed a large stack of prop spears, he hefted them in his hand shyffled them around a bit and selected three and threw the others away, the narrator said what just happened, and David replied "These are worthy weapons" the narrator then queried and the others, to which the reply was "Firewood" he then grabbed a Woomera (Throwing stick) notched one of the spears into it and with no more than a glance up hurled it and the camera seemed to show a very lucky Seagull have some feathers parted after which he was shown disappearing from the scene (Quickly). The narrator said "you missed" and David replied "not hungry and the Commisary is still open and anyway Seagull taste horrible!" Yes it most probably was staged but the ring of truth is there these guys are superb at what they do, mind you the narrator wasn't that tuned on to his subject because when he asked David what he called a boomerang that doesn't comeback he got the answer that he deserved "A Stick". He should have asked why do some comeback on others don't? The answer is that the returning boomerang is for small prey like birds small marsupials and the like, but to kill a Red Kangeroo you need something heavy, a Killing Boomerang and like me Aboriginal men have a lazy streak they don't miss with the killer they pick it up when they pick up the food, but anyone can miss a pigeon or Cockatoo and you don't want to be chasing sticks all over the countryside, may as well take up golf or some other stupid pursuit. Till tomorrow don't forget - Respect for Art and the things we eat.
Friday, January 16, 2009
#332-365 Tools of Trade
We will get away from the Fauna for a little bit, this is what makes a hunter. The spear and the Boomerang do the work but the ceremony implied by the didgeridoo as The Most Important part. Anyone who saw the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy" had to be move when the leading San Tribesman killed the goat because he was hungry, but took the time to explain to the goat why it was all necessary and expressed his thanks for what the goat was doing for him, this type of respect is what is missing in OUR lives. Don't get me wrong there is real respect in operating the spear and the boomerang. I saw a documentary on the making of Storm Boy (An Aussie Classic Movie) which had as it's main star David Gulpilil, who just prior to a scene was handed a large stack of prop spears, he hefted them in his hand shyffled them around a bit and selected three and threw the others away, the narrator said what just happened, and David replied "These are worthy weapons" the narrator then queried and the others, to which the reply was "Firewood" he then grabbed a Woomera (Throwing stick) notched one of the spears into it and with no more than a glance up hurled it and the camera seemed to show a very lucky Seagull have some feathers parted after which he was shown disappearing from the scene (Quickly). The narrator said "you missed" and David replied "not hungry and the Commisary is still open and anyway Seagull taste horrible!" Yes it most probably was staged but the ring of truth is there these guys are superb at what they do, mind you the narrator wasn't that tuned on to his subject because when he asked David what he called a boomerang that doesn't comeback he got the answer that he deserved "A Stick". He should have asked why do some comeback on others don't? The answer is that the returning boomerang is for small prey like birds small marsupials and the like, but to kill a Red Kangeroo you need something heavy, a Killing Boomerang and like me Aboriginal men have a lazy streak they don't miss with the killer they pick it up when they pick up the food, but anyone can miss a pigeon or Cockatoo and you don't want to be chasing sticks all over the countryside, may as well take up golf or some other stupid pursuit. Till tomorrow don't forget - Respect for Art and the things we eat.
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9 comments:
I'm really enjoying the commentary along with your pictures. It's interesting to learn how another culture sees life.
This is my favorite so far. I did see The Gods Must Be Crazy and had forgotten about that scene. You're right about there being no respect for ANYTHING anymore. Too bad.
Madelaine
Ron, I'm really enjoying these photos and the accompanying explanations. Thank you.
Reading the messages in the art on the wall is really very intersting!
Neat painting - love the color against the fence lines - kinda cool. Great comparison between the "God's Must be crazy" and this, really opens ones mind!
Like Madelaine, this is my favorite so far. I love everything about it. And I really enjoyed learning the difference between boomerangs and sticks!
This is so interesting. I am enjoying learning all about this.
I love the painting and the story you are telling. So very interesting to learn about a culture that seems to live so closely in tune with nature. Thank you! :)
Great pictures and great stories.
Eddie
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