Wednesday 17 September 2014

Baiame Cave Experience...



Visit to Baiame Cave, Milbrodale NSW
On Tuesday 16th we visited the Baiame Cave (the creator in Wonnarua spirituality) in the Wollemi National Park. The trip down the Putty Road past the expansive coalmines of Singleton and Bulga.  In contrast to the seamless plains, we arrived at a green fertile valley via a windy dusty dirt road, heading south through the valley into the home to the Baiame. Our guides Adam, Jake and Margaret were waiting for us. The group was welcomed and cleansed by the ceremonial smoke and the lore of respect. We trekked down a river flat corridor and entered the spiritual grounds of the Wonnarua People. The clouds shadowed the landscape and the wind whisked the trees and grasses as we walked towards the cave up on a craggy outcrop of boulders surrounded by Eucalyptus, she-oaks and blue wrens fluttering and singing to us from the deadwood branches that were beacons to the cave. We greeted the Baiame Cave with the words “Yum Ger-ad” meaning “hello we have arrived; we are here” and the Baiame spirit would welcome us into the meeting place. The spiritual painting was rich in red and white ochre’s worn over thousands of years looking down on the valley and world below where once it was a meeting place for Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi Darkinjung and Wonnarua Peoples.

Adam the guide explained the story of Baiame and the all seeing eyes of wisdom and love and the extended arms that hold all of us together as brothers, sister, mothers, fathers, uncles and aunts. Every living being is connected, we are all connected as part of the earth, the sky the animals, family and friends.

The group listened to Dreamtime stories of the Tiddlelick Frog and the story of how the Crow turned black. The group danced to the rhythm of Clap-sticks and dance stories. The day finished with a walk back through the valley to the reality of awaiting cars.
                    
   


I would like to thank the guides, Adam, Jake and Margaret for a joyous and meaningful experience of Aboriginal culture.


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