Sarah Chapman- The Gagudju People

 Blog Post #1


The Gagudju People: Australia’s Twilight of the Dreamtime (1988):


In class, we watched a film called Australia’s Twilight of the Dreamtime. The film focuses on the Aboriginal group in Kakado called the Gagudju. The Aboriginal people see the land and all living beings, including humanity, as belonging to a single life force, a belief that is enshrined in the Dreamtime and explored through the wildlife and the Gagudju's art, myths, and dance. The creation of cave art solidified the connection between the Dreamtime or mythic time and the physical world. The rock art is similar to what the Celts called “thin” places, or locations where the veil between two worlds is closer. The continuation of layering art upon one another sustains the power of the cosmos. However, with the colonization of Kakado, the Gagudju’s lifeways were changed, as they were prohibited from painting in their sacred caves. Aboriginal law and the continuation of art are crucial for the Gagudju’s subsistence and culture. What I found the most interesting during the film was the Gagudju’s relationship with the land and its inhabitants. Wildlife such as the crocodile, the White-Breasted Sea Eagle, the Black-Necked Stork, and fish were all painted on the tree bark, tapping into the power of the Dreamtime to ensure the species survival. Even animals such as the Crocodile, a threat to the people is painted to ensure the health of the ecosystem and their culture. Their knowledge of the land and species was abundant, contributing to their reciprocal relationship with the environment. The aborigines took inspiration from their nonhuman neighbors on how to live life and connect with their ancestors and culture through the Dreamtime. Ritual is very important to the Gagudju; ceremonial dances and obligations are crucial to the survival of their culture. The dancers re-enact great deeds and mimic the Dreamtime animals. Through ceremony and compliance with their laws, the Gagudju ensure that their unity with all living things continues. As long as they look after their country, the ecosystem will continue. The last of the traditional Gagudju men know everything that remains of their ancient culture, and only they have this knowledge. After watching the film, it made me think of how we could learn from the Gagudju people about how the West can become better land stewards in the future.

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