Photo: Dry creek bed – the Hull River, Northern Territory. This particular spot is also the site of Kulpi Tjuntinya also called Lasseter’s Cave. The river is mostly dry on the surface, and runs underground. There are many soaks along its route. When it does rain heavily the water can be one third up the height of those trees, which given the width, is a mighty volume of water.
The Australian bush, long before white settlers, was well protected with the harmony of traditional law or Tjukurpa – pronounced Chookapah (following the Central and Western Desert peoples view). The law is an oral tradition handed on generation to generation and memorised. One of its central principles is respect for all the elements of nature because everthing is in relationship and everything has an effect. While the words harmony or balance are not explicit, the principles are evident in the way Australian indigenous peoples treat the land and each other.
In the Balance
Where once where trees lie salted plains
and dusty cattle ruts.
Camels, mines and 4x4s,
billabong and creek consumed.
Settlers coveted and misunderstood,
but the Anangu have wise ways,
and through their ancient dreaming,
there came ways of loving nature whole.
©Paul Cannon
Paul,
pvcann.com
parallax 
Wonderful photo. Good description of the land view. Thanks
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Many thanks James
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Welcome
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I think I have seen that in one of my friend’s photos. Lovely photo!
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Thank you Winnie
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You’re welcome, Paul.
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And indigenous peoples in the United States maintained much the same harmony
with nature, until white settlers arrived.
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There are indeed, strong connections between the two in many ways, thank you for sharing Sandy.
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Happy to do so.
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The indigenous people world over have a sacred relationship with all elements of nature.
But we know only one thing…how to disrupt harmony.
Thanks for sharing this Paul.
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Absolutely, such a shame it has been that way, thank you for reading.
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You are welcome.
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Excellent, Paul! 🙂
Too much of western culture treats the land and nature merely like something to be used and discarded.
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Many thanks Tom, yes, if only we’d paid attention sooner.
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Seems like the Native American Indians and the Australian Aboriginal have similar convictions….
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Actually, there are some connections between the two groups, especially around convictions, thanks for sharing.
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This is very wise and beautiful. I love the photos.
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Thank you Suzanne
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magic photos and most profound message!
Our traditional landowners are the longest surviving in world history, 65,000 years through ice age and many climate changes … we need to seek their guidance and follow their example very quickly!
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Yes indeed Kate 🙂
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Such ancient wisdom that has been scorned to our peril – this was such a beautiful place
>
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I did not know Tjyukurpa,so I searched in Japanese, too.
Tjukurpa is like a law of life that Angang(=Aborigine) which is descended from their Ancestors.
Excellent!!:D
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Well researched Nasuko, and yes exactly as you say.
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