The Kempsey region is rich with indigenous history and culture. The local aboriginal elders have fascinating stories to share which enrapture my imagination about what came before me on these streets, rivers and fields.
Emily King recognises how important it is for these stories to be shared and recorded, and has been working on a project, “Wiriiynakayi Ngunngun Dunghutti” – Dunghutti Stories from Yesterday, which was funded through Kempsey Shire Council. The Dunghutti are an Aboriginal group whose traditional lands lie in the Macleay Valley, on the Mid North Coast of NSW. As a Crescent Head local, I live within this area and it is important to me to learn about my local history, culture and people.
The aim of the Dunghutti Stories from Yesterday project was to record a set of stories from each of the communities in the area. These stories were told by elders to school children. The kids painted elements of the stories which became part of 13 impressive murals. The process provided a beautiful interaction between the elders and the children, allowing the kids to learn about their indigenous history.
In the words of Uncle Bob, (pictured below with Emily), “It’s important for those generations who have not been a part of ‘back then’ to appreciate the hardships, injustices and discrimination that was a part of life during those years .
“The strength of those families, and the guidance of parents and grandparents in those times, is an important feature of those times which were marked by strong loving families in the face of adversities.
“In spite of all the adversities, I would suggest that not one person would want to change a single day of their lives back then. It made them who they are today.” (Quotes from https://open.abc.net.au/explore/89426)
Below is a selection of the Dunghutti Stories From Yesterday murals, which I photographed for Kempsey Shire Council.
Emily hosted an Elder’s Morning Tea was held at Odd Fellows Hall in Kempsey. The gathering was a chance for elders who have been involved in Dunghutti Stories of Yesterday to come together, watch their interviews and films, and enjoy a morning tea amongst the artwork which they helped to create.
I was fortunate to be invited to photograph the elders. I love the character and stories in their faces.
My fascination with indigenous cultures is always growing, the more I am exposed to traditional ways of life. I know that we have so much to learn from these groups, not only about positive ways to interact with our environment, but also learning what our environment has to offer us (e.g. bush foods, medicinal plants, sustainable living practices). Please take a look around my blog and website to see other cultures around the world that I have been privileged to photograph and learn from. Thanks for visiting.
