Karen from AustCrime reviewed Songlines by Margo Neale (First Knowledges, #1)
Review - Songlines, The Power and Promise
5 stars
The first in the First Knowledges series of books edited by Margo Neale, SONGLINES discusses the use of mnemonic systems by First Nations people as a way of passing on knowledge - cultural, historical, geographical and familial.
The first line of the blurb of the book says "What do you need to know to prosper as a people for 65,000 years?" Good question, and if we'd bothered to ask it much earlier one that could perhaps have made all our lives richer, more present in place, and considerably more respectful of a culture that has survived for such an incredibly long time, in harmony with an old, and sometimes quite harsh land.
There are parts of this book that call on the reader to consider the vastness and importance of what white settlement has tried to obliterate or downplay - and in parts may require some soul searching, in particular, …
The first in the First Knowledges series of books edited by Margo Neale, SONGLINES discusses the use of mnemonic systems by First Nations people as a way of passing on knowledge - cultural, historical, geographical and familial.
The first line of the blurb of the book says "What do you need to know to prosper as a people for 65,000 years?" Good question, and if we'd bothered to ask it much earlier one that could perhaps have made all our lives richer, more present in place, and considerably more respectful of a culture that has survived for such an incredibly long time, in harmony with an old, and sometimes quite harsh land.
There are parts of this book that call on the reader to consider the vastness and importance of what white settlement has tried to obliterate or downplay - and in parts may require some soul searching, in particular, from white Australian readers. Not only was it worthwhile to do that for this reader, there was much to think on - right now, in the middle of the discussions over the Voice to Parliament. (Highly recommend a perusal of ulurustatement.org/)
