Across Australia communities are embracing traditional fire techniques, once used around the world.
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Film maker, musician, and traditional knowledge consultant Victor Steffensen joined Djiringanj elders this week to demonstrate traditional fire methods to the next generation.
“When we heal the landscape, we heal the people,” Mr Steffensen said.
“It’s not just about fire, it’s about so much more.
“Healing is what this is all about.”
Mr Steffensen said farmers are understanding the poor health of the landscape is speeding the rapid decline of plants and animals and are “jumping on board” with the traditional techniques.
“For our young ones this is their birthright,” Cobargo’s Rod Mason said during the May 1 workshop at Wallagoot.
As a small child he was fascinated by fire, and said he feels “proud” young people are requesting more cultural days.
“When we’re born we’re told through our lore to keep a fresh Country for the next generation,” Mr Mason said.
“Like a bee pollinating a flower, we create fresh land.
“We’re the only ones on the planet still practicing this old style.”
Mr Mason said fire has a strong relationship with wind and rain, with smoke also used to seed rain clouds.
“It’s a bit of a rain making ceremony, the bigger the fire, the bigger the rain clouds,” he said.
Inspired by the struggles of his mother’s people, the Tagalaka of Northern Queensland, Mr Steffensen learnt from Kuku Thaypan elders Dr George Musgrave and Tommy George.
“They were pretty much the only old people who didn’t get taken off their land by police, and knowledge was almost entirely wiped out,” Mr Steffensen said.
“I teach people how to read landscape through their own Country.”
He said he has been surprised at how quickly community interest has spread to states across Australia.
“We didn’t know it was going to be bigger than Ben-Hur,” Mr Steffensen said.
“I think it’s because people aren’t listening to an agency, they’re listening to the earth.
“When we listen to the land, people see how it all makes sense.
“When they see it they want to become part of it.”
Djiringanj elders Paul and Gary Campbell also emphasised the healing nature of the process.
“You can smell and feel the medicine and power,” Gary said.
Each year traditional owners from across Australia gather in Cape York Peninsula to share fire knowledge, however this year Nowra will host the workshops on July 12 to 15.
Nowra’s Noel Webster said the Nowra community is excited to host the event.
“We want to broadcast the value of natural burning, and it’s place in the landscape, using fire as medicine and returning Country to health,” he said.