Summary

The website content reflects on the deep connection between Indigenous peoples and their land, emphasizing the concept of belonging to the Earth rather than owning it, and highlights the cultural and spiritual significance of the land to the Aboriginal Australians and the people of Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Abstract

The article "Holding Life" delves into the profound relationship between humanity and the Earth, particularly through the lens of Indigenous cultures in Australia and New Zealand. It contrasts the Western notion of land ownership with the Indigenous perspective of belonging to the land, which fosters a sense of responsibility and reverence towards the natural world. The text pays homage to Earth Day by illustrating how the land is intrinsic to identity, culture, and existence for Indigenous peoples. It describes the land as a living entity that sustains physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being, and it underscores the importance of respect and reciprocity in this relationship. The article also includes evocative imagery and poetry, as well as a call to action for readers to engage with and protect the environment.

Opinions

The author advocates for a shift from ownership to belonging, suggesting that this change in perspective could lead to greater environmental respect and stewardship.
There is a strong emphasis on the interconnectedness of all life forms and the Earth, as seen in the Indigenous philosophies of Australia and Aotearoa.
The article suggests that the disruption of the natural environment has profound negative effects on the psycho-physiological well-being of Indigenous peoples.
The author expresses admiration for the Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge and their holistic approach to living in harmony with the land.
The piece encourages readers to consider the Earth as a home that requires care and celebration, rather than a resource to be exploited.
The inclusion of a video and external links indicates the author's desire for readers to further explore and understand Indigenous relationships with the land.
The author promotes the idea of artistic expression as a means to inspire a deeper connection with science and the natural world, as evidenced by the mention of the S&S Prompt series.

Holding Life

#ConnectedByEarth

To belong rather than to own

multiple souls and names. A forever returning ghost.

Fitfully forsaken, or kept in warrior’s memories, like Aotearoa.

Imagine the scent of land Though bovine perception. All that is needed is given.

Highways of roots. Lands underwater, unknown. What is this If not a home. Brushing naked plantares Fingertips, toes Paws. Roots. More. A home to fly across A home to run upon A home to dive into. Our own being, perpetually connected to this sphere.

All of history and more. All of the wars, and all the sex, love, all. Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Literature, Art, Plumbing, Constructing, Sculpting, Cleaning Eating. Killing. Loving. Needing.

On the hard spine and hand of our home.

Like a ficus tree in winter Spreading to hold life

On this Earth Day, I wanted to pay homage to a couple of things.

The Earth as everyone and everything’s home
Australia and New Zealand (Aotearoa) and the people who populated them for many years before colonization.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island idea of “belonging” and not “owning” a land. Which, I feel, causes to pay more attention to the Earth as a living organism, and respects the environment more than other philosophies.

Aboriginal Australian Science, Philosophy and Psychology around the Land:

Land encompasses everything about existence. Language, family, identity, culture, and more. According to this life-view, we do not own land. We belong to a piece of land. This land connects to kinship.

People belonging to a land are entrusted with responsibility and knowledge about the land. They will care for the land, and the land will give them back a sense of belonging, identity, and life-purpose.

According to this system, the relationship of people and the Earth must be always of respect, as well as reciprocity. As the land will sustain humans, humans must celebrate the land.

When the Earth is damaged, disrespected, this will have long-lasting impact on the whole psycho-physiological wellbeing of Indigenous people, given the strength of the connection.

“How are we ultimately going to honour this relationship with the very thing, the very earth, the very waters, the very air, the very sky, that gives us life and existence?” — Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnston (Through AustraliansTogether).

Aotearoa

If thou art asked in the spirit-land

To recite thy genealogy

Thou shalt reply

I am but a child

A child of little knowledge

Yet this have I heard

Tainui, Te Arawa, Mataatua

Kurahaupo and Tokomaru

These were the canoes of my ancestors

In which they paddled

Across the Great Ocean of Kiwa

Stretched before them.

Ngāti Raukawa chant, cited in Ranginui Walker, Ka whawahi tonu mātou: struggle without end

The connection of the people of Aotearoa and their land, and ocean is also very strong. Here, a video to explain it better:

For more info:

Young New Zealanders encourage all to protect New Zealand — Tourism New Zealand Media

Indigenous Australians: Australia’s First Peoples exhibition 1996–2015 — The Australian Museum

Nature & Eco tourism — Tourism New Zealand Media

The importance of land | Australians Together

This story is part of the S&S Prompt series — science-inspired prompts to get you inspired — Our dear readers — have a little fun exercising your artistic creativity and write a science-inspired story — the format is entirely up to you — haiku, sciku, limerick, poetry, prose, painting, etc. — if you do — feel free to publish it anywhere on medium, just tag it with #SnSPrompt.