THE Gomeroi Dance Company delighted the kids of Milestones Early Learning Centre in Bligh St this afternoon, sharing traditional dance, song and a little language with them.
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Marc Sutherland, Brad Flanders, Maene Trindall, Kaylan Lyons and Kalyn Brown taught the kids yaama (hello) and a few other Gomeroi words.
The Gomeroi men showed – then involved the kids in – traditional dances representing the bundarr (kangaroo), dhinawan (emu), googar (goanna) and bigibilla (echidna).
The visit was part of NAIDOC Week activities, which has the theme: Our Languages Matter.
“We believe that through language, everyone can get a connection to land, and it brings people together to talk in the language of the Gomeroi people,” Mr Flanders said.
The importance of sharing Gomeroi language and culture: Brad Flanders in his own words
“The importance of language to us, as Gomeroi people – language tells our story.
“Our language shows where we’re from and also speaks of where we’ve been.
“From the beginning, before we got given our language we got given our laws, we got given our rules, we got given love, and from that came language.
“We learned how to talk; we learned how to express how we’re feeling.
“So it’s more than talking about where we’re from, saying we’re Gomeroi people or we’re Anaiwan people or we’re Wiradjuri people, it’s more ... about why is language is important? Why we do we talk? Why do we speak English [for example]? – we speak to express how we feel.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to help teach language as well … learning about Gomeroi language is really important to us.
“We believe that through language, everyone can get a connection to land, and it brings people together to talk in the language of the Gomeroi people.
“I believe culture is special.
“Everything that we do has a purpose, no matter whether it’s something as sacred and beautiful as a smoking ceremony to just dancing with our infants.
“They learn as soon as they open their eyes, they learn in their mother’s tummy, they can hear you and when they come out and they open their eyes and they look, they’re learning.
“Our life’s special.”
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
