Issue Details: First known date: 1992... 1992 [Review Essay] The Honey-ant Men's Love Song and Other Aboriginal Song Poems
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Dark, viscous honey, hot stuff— so go some of the words sung in Anbarra country in Arnhem Land to celebrate sugar bag, as translated into English by Margaret Clunies Ross (P 81).

'The Central Australian song focussed on in the book's title also has honey as a theme. Verse 60 in Stephen Wild's organisation of the song words runs, in his translation: He asked for honey Not enough honey (p 67) Stephen Wild introduces this verse with the comment, The sexual symbolism of honey has its parallel also in Western thought' (p 66). Indeed—and, it might prove safe to add, wherever there is honey. Imagery is part of the celebration of the power of language in song the world over. Since it is love that makes the world go round, as English speakers are used to putting it, and since singing offers people a slippery grip on the process, many of the same sexually symbolic associations crop up in song again and again, here, there and everywhere.' (Introduction)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Australian Aboriginal Studies no. 1 1992 11961599 1992 periodical issue

    'A new editor of a journal almost inevitably reviews its structure and style to see if any modifications are appropriate. This editor was no exception and a few changes were either implemented in this issue or will become apparent over the next few issues. This is no reflection on the previous editor, Kingsley Palmer, who managed to retain a surprisingly high proportion of those who o receive the journal after payment of subscriptions by members of the Institute was introduced. Because the journal seems to be meeting the needs of a significant readership changes are not likely to be very far-reaching.' (Editorial introduction)

    1992
    pg. 84-87
Last amended 28 Sep 2017 13:31:02
84-87 [Review Essay] The Honey-ant Men's Love Song and Other Aboriginal Song Poemssmall AustLit logo Australian Aboriginal Studies
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