Culture

Dreamtime In Arnhem Land

A Panegyric to the Aborigines

Translating Gaia's Heartbeat

Grow me some gourds and I will carve my drum and Bead my shakers; mimicking Gaia’s Heartbeat, I will envision a new world. A cedar and maple and I’ll build my guitar to sing, sweet scented harmonies. Bamboo and I will carve my Didgeridoo with healing, Light song. Teak and pear wood and I’ll carve my flutes to Echo across the heavens. Mahogany and my dulcimer will ring, And drone among the mountains and trees.

Wood is the echo chamber of Mother Earth’s heart Songs. In gourd and bamboo, her joyous laughter is Sleeping within, until fingers dance her awake. The blood of Gaia, living and flowing in her children, Gifts us all with the concert of life. It is why music, is the universal language, That all life speaks.

Yirdaki Rhapsody

Yirdaki rhapsody; No passing fancy. Breath-bullet; Spinning down its chamber of wood; Enchanting elixir, so very good. Breathing sound-light; How it bleeds, so right; A healing vibration, Echoing sensation; Didgeridoo’ing brings cosmic elation! Born in the woods of each tone, Brings magic of visioning dreams. Peace waves resounding from Yirdaki dreams; Can elevate spirit to heights never seen. Thanks to the bug, who devours his grub; Harmony gives the world, a big hug. Yirdaki rhapsody, Like peaches and cream; Is sweet perfection that is sure to glean; Miraculous joy, from all who can hear it. It extracts the funk, from all who are near it. The song of the wood; It rides on a breeze; The vibrational gift, Is so sure to please. It’s not just a hollowed out tube, You can bet; Its healing energy surpasses all tests. On another plane I ride, vibrations, Which upon I slide; Mind dances on the tonal tide. I waltz within the timeless realms; Yirdaki posted at the helm. Melting deep into the drone, My spirit does not stand alone. The things I see, within the drone; When done will usher me back home.

Yirdaki rhapsody, how it swells And secrets it will ever tell. The dance is meant, to call all souls. Come dance and be inside the fold.

Author’s Note: According to didgedownunder.com, The Aboriginal people (indigenous Australians) have one of the longest continuously existing cultures on earth. Many scientists believe the ancestors of present-day Aboriginal people first arrived in Australia from Southeast Asia about 50,000 years ago. They are the original custodians of this sacred wooden instrument called Didgeridoo, also known as yirdakis/yidakis in some areas.

Indigenous Australians are physically and spiritually connected with their environment, and all the creatures in those habitats. A common Aboriginal expression is “The land is my mother.” They believe spirit ancestors at the beginning of time created the world, all its creatures and the Aboriginal way of life, and that everything, past and present, is related.

“Dreamtime” or “Dreamings” are legends that tell of the experiences of the creation ancestors.

Didge has been played for at least 1,500 years, and is mostly associated with the Aboriginal tribes of Arnhem Land in Northern Australia. Since then, it has spread far and wide across the world. It is used in both ceremonies and informal settings, often as an accompaniment to chanting, singing and dancing. The sounds of the instrument mimic sounds of the earth — of animals, humans and nature — and are filled with deep cultural meaning.

We healers, wholeheartedly advocate the integration of sound healing with energy medicine in our sessions owing to the restorative and rejuvenating vibrations that music brings along. My personal favorites are the symphonies produced by the Australian Didgeridoo, African Djembe, Middle Eastern Doumbek and drums of any shape and size. The music not only sets the mood and tone of the space, but also accentuates the healing process of attunees.

It was whence I received my shamanic Munay-Ki initiation from the Incas of Peru through my spiritual mentor, a Priestess/Shaman from Australia, I was introduced to the Aboriginal culture. I was told that the Aborigines are, “The Keepers of ancient wisdom, the Defenders of Earth”.

The first time I heard the hypnotic notes of didgeridoo, oh boy! It took me to a parallel universe. It makes it seem absolutely effortless to begin the journey into infinite waters of the Earth, Mother Gaia, to feel the grounding didgeridoo breaths spreading, massaging your ears, by moving you slowly deeper and deeper away from thoughts. I would aptly call it a mindgasm(we Air signs devour that, don’t we?).

We can learn from the Aborigines how to better live in harmony with the environment and all of its creatures, and just as importantly, how to live in harmony with ourselves. I also suggest watching ‘Australia’, an epic romantic historical drama film, starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman to gain a complete insight into the evolution of the land.

Now that we are revisiting and celebrating the Australian culture, it gives me immense delight to mention my beloved friends from down under, David Rudder and Lee Ameka. These wonderful souls, among all others are the inhabitants of the blessed land. Thank you for opening a window of your rich cultural legacy to the rest of the world.

Special thanks to ScienceDuuude for extending a warm invitation to write for his creative new publication;

Thank you so much for reading, dear ones!

May Mother Earth guide your feet. May Father Sky keep his arms around you. May Grandfather Sun warm your cold days. May Grandmother Moon keep the glow in your heart. May the Star nations light the way to the next destination; And the Great Spirit always keep you shielded from the pain.

Blessed be.