On Saturday afternoon Irene and I went to the Museum to a talk about tayenebe—the word means “exchange” and is the title of an exhibition “Tasmanian Aboriginal women’s fibre work.” I haven’t yet seen the show other than to glance at a case of baskets as I went into the gallery with the birds, but I did have the chance to page the catalogue at someone’s house. The baskets are beautiful.
The show is a culmination of a much longer project of cultural recovery. Central to the project was a series of workshops held in different locations around the state. At the workshops women gathered plant materials, learning to recognize them, and also wove baskets. Elders were an important part of the project, and the gatherings themselves were crucial. We were welcomed to the talk by an elder, in her own language, much as native people at home welcome an audience to events. I find hearing those languages rooted in particular places very moving—and I’m often struck by the softness of them in contrast to English and other European languages. I feel as if they imply or incorporate listening as well as speaking.
10 or 12 of the women who had participated in the project were at the talk on Saturday. It was lovely to hear their comments and share in their excitement about what they were learning and the work they had done. And to see their shared laughter and pleasure in each other’s company.
To find out more about this wonderful project go to: http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/tayeneberesources
No comments:
Post a Comment