Wandi (Eagle) is a Kuku Yalanji name used to refer to all eagle species that inhabit our traditonal land and sea country. Wandi is an important Totem for all of our men. To this day they perform the stories of Wandi in public ceremonies and pass on the related cultural knowledge to the younger generation by teaching them how to dance it.
Name: Karen Shuan
Language: Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Nyungkul
Community: Mossman
Biography:
I grew up in Mossman learning two ways of life: Kuku Yalanji and Western.
I learnt language and culture from the age of four, and as I grew I was an interpreter for my mother and elders. Now I teach my daughters - we all speak language at home.
Now, both my parents have passed away. My mother was from Mossman and she is my role model, she taught me language, culture, and dance from the past and the present. The stories in dance she also painted; stories of our Totems (Ancestral Beings) like that of Diwan (Scrub hen) laying eggs, the sea turtle and the crocodile.
As a young person, my father’s uncle, Eddy Bloomfield, painted for pleasure and to pass on knowledge. He painted on any surface he could find like bark, turtle shells etc. I was always listening to elders and Eddy encouraged me to pick up a paintbrush. He taught me traditional techniques and told me many stories about our ancestors and clan country and what food is edible and what is not.
My elders taught me how to survive here. Strong voices and histories, self-expression through dance and painting. This is how they survived and this is valuable knowledge for the next generation.
My artwork stories focus on the Totems that have been passed down to me from my father’s and mother’s side. Many of them are still sung and danced in public ceremony. I pass on these stories to my seven daughters and also teach them how to dance them.
Kakan (Black Palm) Basket Weaving This design shows how the bottom part of a black palm basket is woven. My grandmothers and aunties used to make them. They cut off the young palm leaves in Read more…