Aboriginal Initiation Ceremonies in the Pilbara: Part 11c. On the last morning of the initiation cycle of ceremonies, children prepare a basket of bark chips to throw at the men escorting the "nuju" (newly initiated) back to their families after their weeks at the men's Law camp. The men and nuju have been singing the sacred Wardilba songs all night and at sunrise they move from "the yard" towards the waiting women and children. As they approach, the children begin to throw their bark. This acton relieves the tension and may clear the atmosphere of bad spirits. The bark throwing also involves boys who will be future candidates for initiation as they are called to join the men when the bark has been thrown. This ritual was filmed in 2002 by Bill Day at a 'meeting camp" between Auski Roadhouse and Wittenoom on Mulga Downs station at the foot of the Hamersley Ranges in the Pilbara District of Western Australia.
16 июн 2014
