Joe Nangan is a Maban, a witch doctor. Composer of songs and stories, keeper of legends and traditions, he is the last of the Nygina Songmen. For centuries his people lived along the banks of the Fitzroy River in Western Australia, with their history and Law entwined in their songs and legends. But then the white man came and forced the Nygina from their waterholes and places of the Rais, the sacred spirits. Now only a handfull of full-blooded Nygina remain, and children born today will grow up lacking the knowledge of the bush, the Law, and the spirits of their fathers.
As Joe Nangan grew old, he became anxious that his knowledge should not die with him. For some time he searched for a way in which to be sure that the stories of his Dreaming should not perish, and eventually, through the help of Father Francis Heugel of the Pallottine Mission, and Mary Durack, he met Hugh Edwards, who helped him turn his ambition into reality.
These legends are Joe's Dreaming. The animals in them, and the Rais which surround him in his country, are as real to Joe as our families and friends are to us. The illustrations are his own, making this book a unique event in Australian publishing. And when you look at them, imagine the long line of dancers, the dust rising from their feet in the bush setting, the vibrant chanting, and the fast-moving form of the songman leading them all - legions of songmen stretching back to the Dreamtime, the Aboriginal beginning of all things.
This 64 page hardcover is illustrated with black and white drawings. This book is ex-library and as such has all the usual stamps and stickers internally and externally. The dustjacket has some creases, edgewear and there are splits to edges (the longest measuring approximately 3cm). Internally there is owner's name and date inside first page, but it is otherwise in a good, tight, clean condition with none of the grubby marks so often associated with ex-library books. A lovely book!
Postage quoted is for within Australia. Overseas customers are more than welcome to email me for a postage quote. Local Pick up is not available.
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