On the other hand, maybe we might be more respectful of the earth beneath our feet, the land on which we live, if we absorbed the understandings and imagery which lie in the ancient teachings of the Indigenous people in our country. They often refer to divine life within the earth and clearly have a very special relationship with that earth. Their attachment to country is not simply about claiming clan territory, but their sense of life which lies beneath them and offers them gifts and strength for living.
When the Olympic Games were held in Sydney, one of the Indigenous godly beings represented in the Opening Ceremony was the Wandjina. It was imaged as a black face with eyes and a nose, but no mouth. This was claimed to be a sign that it had no mouth for judgement – a very lovely image of a godly being.
However, the more common description of the Wandjinas comes from our Indigenous people in the Kimberleys. These people saw the Wandjinas as the supreme creators and symbols of fertility and rain. The sacred paintings of the Wandjinas are among the oldest on the planet. The Wandjinas encouraged them in their care of the land.
Imagine if we, whose people do not originate from this country, whatever our faith or spirituality, were to listen respectfully to the Indigenous people and gather into our faith views their respect and understanding for sacred life which lies within the land itself. Maybe we would be far more caring of the creation in general and would walk on this land in new ways?
There is also something about a God beneath our feet which is near to us, which feels what is happening to us and reaches out to connect with us as we live and have our being.
Every faith has something to offer to another – almost always ideas and convictions which have come from its country and people of origin. Given their gentle steps on this land over so many thousands of years, our Indigenous people might bring to us the beauty and wonder of the Wandjinas and guide us on together. Maybe they could teach us to love this land in new and more committed ways – to respect and preserve the creation.
