WOMAN'S STUDIES / MYTHOLOGY / ABORIGINAL CULTURE Extending deep into the caverns of humanity's oldest memories, beyond 60,000 years of history and into the Dreamtime, this collection of Australian Aboriginal myths has been passed down through the generations by tribal storytellers. The myths were compiled at the turn of the century by K. Langloh Parker, one of the first Europeans to realize their significance and spiritual sophistication. Saved from drowning by Aboriginal friends when she was just a child, Parker subsequently gained unique access to Aboriginal women and to stories that had previously eluded anthropologists. In the stories, women tell of their own initiations and ceremonies, the origins and destiny of humanity, and the behavioral codes for society. Included are stories of child-rearing practices, young love in adversity, the dangers of invoking the spiritual powers, the importance of social sharing, the role of women in male conflicts, the dark feminine, and the transformational power of language. Wise Women of the Dreamtime allows us to participate in the world's oldest stories and to begin a new dream of harmony between human society and nature. An Australian-born actress and writer, JOHANNA LAMBERT has been deeply involved in Aboriginal issues for many years. She studied with the renowned Aboriginal film and stage director Brian Syron and is also the editor of the audio edition of Wise Women of the Dreamtime.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Tales of the Ancestral Powers
Wahwee and Nerida: The Water Monster and the Water Lily
Dinewan the Man Changes to Dinewan the Emu
Sturt's Desert Pea, the Blood Flower
Where the Frost Comes From
Tales of the Animal Powers
Murgah Muggui, the Spider
Bralgah, the Dancing Bird
Piggiebillah, the Porcupine
The Rainbird
Tales of the Magical Powers
Moodoobahngul, the Widow
The Wirreenun Woman and Her Wirreenun Son
The Redbreasts
The Wagtail and the Rainbow
Tales of Healing
Goonur, the Woman-Doctor
The Bunbundoolooeys
Bibliography
