Under a burning sun smoke spirals up from a bonfire while flies buzz all around, but that doesn`t distract indigenous artist, Billy Cooley, from his work.
I`m in Australia’s Outback at the foot of the majestic rock, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. It’s sacred territory to the Anangu, the aboriginal people of the Western Desert and the traditional owners of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Whispers of smoke billow across the indigo blue sky, while in a corner a woman emblazes a pattern into mulgo wood. I learn that this is Lulu, Billy`s wife and that the designs they use for their art relate to the craftsmen`s ceremonies or birthplace.
The intense emotions of Billy`s expression reveals that this craftsman works with the highest precision and he has an eye for detail. The whole scene has something spiritual about it and you can tell that the rock rings deep within the spirit of the Anangu. And I know that had I stood here a thousand years ago I might have seen the same thing taking place – a fine example of ancient traditions in this modern world.
Emotions surface and touch my soul, it seems as if a wave of ancestral love is surrounding us all. I feel I`m part of the moment, like I`ve found my place and I`m at one with this incredible corner of the world.
* A special thanks to Northern Territory for inviting TravelDudes, who I represented there. All opinions in this post are my own.
Leave a Reply