Sunday 23 February 2014

Day 54: Clancestry

Day 54: ...Yawar at South Bank

After a morning of housework, reading and writing, I headed off to South Bank this afternoon to take in 'Clancestry', a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands peoples' culture and tradition. The festival has been on for a few days, today was the last, closing with Yawar, a celebration of dance from all over the state (and northern NSW). 

[Of course, that means for you dear reader, you are spared from more backyard shots, just for today...]

There was a very cool jazz band working the stage in the afternoon, markets and food. It's always nice to walk around South Bank, nice too when there is so much more to do and see than usual. Lovely to meet tweepster @leesawatego in real life too. 

The highlight of the evening was the closing ceremony, a farewell 'Yawar'. Each of the groups had distinctive dance, stories and music. It was a marvellous experience, really best shown in a series of pic highlights. [Permission was given at the beginning of the event for photos to be taken.]

Salutations

Dance 1

Many youngsters were performing too

Dance 2

Dance 3

Dance 4

Closing : Yawar

Thanks everyone, and #respect.

On the way home, I learnt that just across the river there was a #LighttheDark vigil for the asylum seeker, Reza Berati, who was killed on Manus Island on 18 February. Tonight our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people showed us so much respect for culture, for sharing, for humanity. White Australia could learn from the traditional owners of the land to which my ancestors came, by boat. We too can be more gracious about those who wish to come here. 


[Camera : Canon EOS60D, 28-80mm, 6.47-8.54pm]