Memory of Trees Exhibtion Publication - 2.7 MB - Parramatta City ...

Kerrie Kenton
Watte Wanne & Dhunghutti
Aboriginal Elder
2012
12
Gooligah - Tree Spirit
2012
Mud, Bone, Feathers, Fur, Shell and Stone
Collection of the Artist
Since time began trees have held significant value to Aboriginal people. Trees are
not only culturally and spiritually important, but their importance also forms part
of everyday life. Trees were a necessity in the Traditional life of Aboriginal People
in Parramatta and surrounds.
Parramatta is the meeting point of three different clan groups of the Darug, and
is also the meeting of Saltwater and Freshwater. Some of this land, south of
the river, is the land of the Wattegora. This word means land and people of the
Wattle. The Parramatta areas of Sydney have significant and rare Wattle Trees
including the Parramattensis or Parramatta Green Wattle. The trees of Parramatta
provided shelter and protection for the people, our homes and homes for our
native animals. These trees also provided food, medicines and tools. Trees
are Aboriginal people’s history books. They represent a people’s soul and the
embodiment of their culture and history. A record of our people living amongst
the trees, on this land for generations.
‘My Grandmother used to tell me that a tree would need to be greater than 100
years old to be suitable for housing a Kookaburra and his family. The Kaa Kaa is
a smart and wise bird, a superb and fierce hunter. Kookaburra is a protector of
the knowledge and country. Kookaburras aren’t always easy to see on country but
they are there watching and protecting. The trees contain the ancestor spirits;
they hold the history and knowledge of the people and of the place, land and
country. These stories Kookaburra knows and protects, he is the Guardian’.
For thousands of years Aboriginal people of NSW have carved trees. These cultural
markers are highly significant to Aboriginal people. Carve Trees or Dendroglyphs have
been carved ceremoniously, they are artistically expressive and culturally significant.
These cultural markers signify places of great importance. These trees often marked
burial sites, the intricate design relating to whose burial place it is, telling the viewer who
this person is, their connections, their kin, and their story. These markers also showed
the direction of the site, so that this special place would be respected and avoided.