Completing the Mural, Dance Performance

Saturday, 11 June, 2005 by Cheryl W. Colan

We continued painting this morning. After lunch the men went to visit Lake Wabby, a place of men’s business. The women stayed behind to paint. We had managed to fill in many empty background areas with color, and the women began to see ways to add detail work to the large swaths of solid color. I could just feel the pride everyone took in continuing to refine our work on this mural. It was really special having only the women left behind to work. The creative energy was so strong, but peaceful and tranquil, too, and it was a pleasure spending a few hours without any male energy around. We love our guys, but this was a girl thing. We got a tremendous amount accomplished. I remember Roger being pleasantly surprised when the men returned.

Eventually we began preparations for a big barbecue. The dancers from Scrub Hill came over today, spending time with the men in the afternoon and preparing to dance for us tonight. I was really excited to see the dancers at night around a campfire. I’ve only seen them perform in the daylight up until now.

The dancers wanted to perform before eating, so just before grilling our meats we tucked everything away in our eskies to keep it safe from the dingos, and went over to the dance area. In the new moon darkness, the men looked spectacular, the white paint on their bodies reflected in the firelight, and sparks ascending to join the incredible array of stars shining above us. Every five minutes or so we could see shooting stars, but tonight we only had eyes for the dance troupe. When Joe Gala stepped out to join the dancers I was speechless. He had small tree branches attached at his knees and arms, and he was a beautiful sight.

Jason led the group this year, and they performed dances from another area. I think I most enjoyed the dance which portrayed the Aborigines first discovery of European bees. Australian bees are small and not very aggressive. The European bees are much larger and will sting perceived invaders. In the dance, Joe stood tall with arms outstretched, representing a tree. The others danced around him, chopping him down. Joe slowly leaned and then fell to the ground. Suddenly, out came the bees, and away ran the stung dancers. It made us laugh, and we would have understood the action even without Jason’s introductory story.

We were invited up to participate in two dances, and it was great fun. We did our best to follow the real dancers, but probably looked a bit foolish. It was still a magical night. After the dancing, Daniel handed out boomerangs, didges, and clap sticks that he had made intending to sell them to tourists. He said he felt wrong trying to sell them to us, so instead he distributed them among the group. I gave him one of my father’s turquoise bola ties as a token of thanks.

Today we put the finishing touches on the mural. We had everyone who painted and everyone who helped us put their hand prints on the mural. After the evening meal we dedicated the mural. We had the plaques mounted and had nearly finished painting. Joe swept the mural with eucalyptus leaves and said an Aboriginal blessing, then swept over our heads and wished us well. Then Roger led us in prayer and we saluted the seven directions: east, north, west, south, above, below and within. I think everyone choked up at his words.

I was tired and went to bed early, but a few students including Nicole and Eliza stayed up and chatted with the dancers around their campfire and got to hear some Aboriginal ghost stories. I later heard they had a great dialogue about spirituality. I wish I had been able to stay up with them, but I had a beautiful night’s sleep.