My friend Ferg sent me some incredible photos of a ceremony he recently took part in, read more for some amazing photos and his story. More to come soon!
I was the main participant this weekend in a male initiation ceremony at one of the nearby outstations that involved horizontal chest cutting done with a sharp (although could have been sharper and less serrated thank you very much) stone. We all danced the night before, slept, got up at sunrise, were painted, danced all along the beach to the men’s business area where I was laid down and sliced open. I was told (translated from Yolgnu Matha) the things that a man has to do from now on and after a final dance with my immediate Aboriginal family members it was off home for a well deserved hot bath.
The History Channel were there filming for three days, and the five and a half hours of footage they got will have to be condensed into about fifteen minutes for a one hour show they’re doing about traditional ceremonies around the world.
The local people have completely blown me away with their enthusiasm and energy and of course for giving me the opportunity to actually go through a traditional and authentic ritual. The younger generation got the chance to learn a bit more about a ceremony that is not being practised as much as it used to be and I got to develop a whole new level of respect and gratitude for the people I work and live with.
This has been life changing, and I’m completely serious when I say that. I’m humbled beyond words to have been able to do this and my lifetime gratitude goes to the Aboriginal people of NE Arnhem Land for organising this cultural exchange for us both and allowing me to step into their world. Their generosity has been amazing.
Ferg.
Comments
136 responses to “Life Changing”
This is like a life changeing experience
This is like a life changeing experience
This is like a life changeing experience
This is like a life changeing experience
Beautiful, simply beautiful!
Beautiful, simply beautiful!
Beautiful, simply beautiful!
Beautiful, simply beautiful!
that is so incredibly amazing.
How did you manage to set it up with them though?
that is so incredibly amazing.
How did you manage to set it up with them though?
that is so incredibly amazing.
How did you manage to set it up with them though?
that is so incredibly amazing.
How did you manage to set it up with them though?
the kids throwing gang signs are perfect
the kids throwing gang signs are perfect
the kids throwing gang signs are perfect
the kids throwing gang signs are perfect
WOW!! amazing, just amazing
WOW!! amazing, just amazing
WOW!! amazing, just amazing
WOW!! amazing, just amazing
SERIOUSLY!!! that kid with his gang sign!!! hahaha ..
SERIOUSLY!!! that kid with his gang sign!!! hahaha ..
SERIOUSLY!!! that kid with his gang sign!!! hahaha ..
SERIOUSLY!!! that kid with his gang sign!!! hahaha ..
How would you get hooked up with this? i have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. Especially next summer if i could, right after graduating high school…
How would you get hooked up with this? i have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. Especially next summer if i could, right after graduating high school…
How would you get hooked up with this? i have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. Especially next summer if i could, right after graduating high school…
How would you get hooked up with this? i have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. Especially next summer if i could, right after graduating high school…
Wow, that must be incredible to be welcomed into their tradition like that. I would love to be able to have an experience like that.
Wow, that must be incredible to be welcomed into their tradition like that. I would love to be able to have an experience like that.
Wow, that must be incredible to be welcomed into their tradition like that. I would love to be able to have an experience like that.
Wow, that must be incredible to be welcomed into their tradition like that. I would love to be able to have an experience like that.
Totally amazing, makes me wish there was more of a call for anthropology majors.
Totally amazing, makes me wish there was more of a call for anthropology majors.
Totally amazing, makes me wish there was more of a call for anthropology majors.
Totally amazing, makes me wish there was more of a call for anthropology majors.
I don’t think Freg tried to set up/hook up with them. As he said himself here, these are “the people I work and live with”, so it’s probably not “given” but “earned”.
must have been an amazing experience for him although I have mixed feelings about TV crew present there and a few other details.
Thanks for sharing, though and thanks for keeping so much more just for yourself!
I don’t think Freg tried to set up/hook up with them. As he said himself here, these are “the people I work and live with”, so it’s probably not “given” but “earned”.
must have been an amazing experience for him although I have mixed feelings about TV crew present there and a few other details.
Thanks for sharing, though and thanks for keeping so much more just for yourself!
I don’t think Freg tried to set up/hook up with them. As he said himself here, these are “the people I work and live with”, so it’s probably not “given” but “earned”.
must have been an amazing experience for him although I have mixed feelings about TV crew present there and a few other details.
Thanks for sharing, though and thanks for keeping so much more just for yourself!
I don’t think Freg tried to set up/hook up with them. As he said himself here, these are “the people I work and live with”, so it’s probably not “given” but “earned”.
must have been an amazing experience for him although I have mixed feelings about TV crew present there and a few other details.
Thanks for sharing, though and thanks for keeping so much more just for yourself!
fucking amazing.
fucking amazing.
fucking amazing.
fucking amazing.
oh fergu-san, i am so jealous. take me with you next time, please?
some of those kids look TERRIFIED in the thirtheenth picture.
oh fergu-san, i am so jealous. take me with you next time, please?
some of those kids look TERRIFIED in the thirtheenth picture.
oh fergu-san, i am so jealous. take me with you next time, please?
some of those kids look TERRIFIED in the thirtheenth picture.
oh fergu-san, i am so jealous. take me with you next time, please?
some of those kids look TERRIFIED in the thirtheenth picture.
I love this.
I love this.