HUNDREDS of people came together on July 6 to celebrate the revivial of the Hastings traditional Gathang language.
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Dancing, music and language circles were the focus of family fun day celebrations at Port Macquarie’s feature NAIDOC Week event.
Event organiser Jamie Donovan was thrilled with the sense of community spirit that brought everyone together in what is a special time for the evolution of the Gathang spoken word in a modern world.
“Today is about celebrating our culture with all of our community,” Mr Donovan said.
“This brings everyone together to celebrate the oldest living culture in the world and the bring our language to the forefront.”
Gathang is the traditional spoken word of Birpai country.
It is currently being taught at TAFE NSW Port Macquarie campus as a certificate 1 and 2 course to teach ambassadors to share this beautifully spiritual dialogue with the broader community.
It is hoped Gathang will eventually be a part of the curriculum in local schools.
A Gathang dictionary 10 years in the making is one resource being used in its revitalisation.
Ms Radley said the missing generational gap in the passing on of her language started with the removal of children in institutions or/and non-Aboriginal homes.
As well as teaching the language at TAFE, Ms Radley promotes the revitalisation and protection of the language through the involvement with an Aboriginal women’s group – Djiyagan Dhanbaan (strong sister).
This group shares language through song and dance.
But, she says, learning the language doesn’t stand alone. “It goes hand in hand with culture,” she said.
Ms Radley said Gathang language connected to the natural space and everything in it is acknowledged.
“It is really exciting times for the language of this land. When we come together and we sing language with one voice it feels like you are singing up the ancestors ad singing up the land and really connects me back to my culture,” she said.
NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day activities included a spectacular traditional welcome and cleansing dance lead by Steve Donovan.
Members of the public were invited to join in and then explore information from Hastings service providers and join in a language circle discussion.