Rom Watangu single work   essay  
Issue Details: First known date: 2016... 2016 Rom Watangu
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The article offers the author's insights on the song cycles and its importance in the everyday life of Yolngu people. The author discusses the work and life balance of Yolngu people, the flow of wealth and prosperity, and the complexities of white Americans. The author also mentions the Community Development and Employment Projects (CDEP )for Aboriginal people.' (Publication abstract)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon The Monthly no. 125 July 2016 9827234 2016 periodical issue 2016 pg. 18-29

Works about this Work

A Question of Value : Time to Redress the Price of Silence Romlie Mokak , 2018 single work essay
— Appears in: Griffith Review , no. 60 2018; (p. 295-304)

'In August 2016,  I stood on the sacred ceremonial grounds of the Yolngu, the people of north-east Arnhem Land, for the annual Garma Festival. I have been to the festival a number of times, but more than any other, this time held a great deal of poignancy for me.'  (Introduction)

To Speak of Sorrow Darius Sepehri , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 393 2017; (p. 53-60)

'Tehran, April 1987: Going Under
'Descending in a stream of arpeggio broken chords: as we moved through night and the vernal air down into the green earth, my mother thought she heard a children’s song on the stairs as the bombs fell cascading. Like bells, bells of Hades sounding out inverted intervals, the bombs fell interminably. The sirens that were singing sang us downward to the damp islands of the underground shelter, a honeycomb under the Tehran metropolis, buzzing with heat-maddened, with death-maddened men and women. My mother was quick with child and as she ran barefoot down the spiralling stairs she was engulfed by the yawning mouth of the desecrated earth. It was two months shy of my birth. All was opaque and suffocating. Concrete shards broke and fell from the ceiling, missiles rained down in deluge. As a whale yawning wide, trenches on the battle-front split and men were dragged into the void. Later, as I came up out of the waters, I knew this sorrow would abide. I tasted a fruit with an ashen core and I saw over all the earth ashes and soot spread abroad, veiling the stars, this shroud.' (Introduction)

To Speak of Sorrow Darius Sepehri , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 393 2017; (p. 53-60)

'Tehran, April 1987: Going Under
'Descending in a stream of arpeggio broken chords: as we moved through night and the vernal air down into the green earth, my mother thought she heard a children’s song on the stairs as the bombs fell cascading. Like bells, bells of Hades sounding out inverted intervals, the bombs fell interminably. The sirens that were singing sang us downward to the damp islands of the underground shelter, a honeycomb under the Tehran metropolis, buzzing with heat-maddened, with death-maddened men and women. My mother was quick with child and as she ran barefoot down the spiralling stairs she was engulfed by the yawning mouth of the desecrated earth. It was two months shy of my birth. All was opaque and suffocating. Concrete shards broke and fell from the ceiling, missiles rained down in deluge. As a whale yawning wide, trenches on the battle-front split and men were dragged into the void. Later, as I came up out of the waters, I knew this sorrow would abide. I tasted a fruit with an ashen core and I saw over all the earth ashes and soot spread abroad, veiling the stars, this shroud.' (Introduction)

A Question of Value : Time to Redress the Price of Silence Romlie Mokak , 2018 single work essay
— Appears in: Griffith Review , no. 60 2018; (p. 295-304)

'In August 2016,  I stood on the sacred ceremonial grounds of the Yolngu, the people of north-east Arnhem Land, for the annual Garma Festival. I have been to the festival a number of times, but more than any other, this time held a great deal of poignancy for me.'  (Introduction)

Last amended 15 Aug 2016 12:40:50
18-29 Rom Watangusmall AustLit logo The Monthly
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