Celebrating Australia Day is a recent phenomenon. When I was young one would not be caught dead exhibiting love-of-country in any emotional way in public. I have been trying to think when all this changed, and think it may have been about 1988, the Bicentennial. Now the country is awash in the day.
Well, some of the country is. Other parts of the country regard 26th January as 'Invasion Day'. You see, this wide brown land was already occupied by an ancient people and an ancient culture. A people who revered the land, but did not have structures for land 'ownership'. Land was a shared resource. Hence, an invasion of convicts and their keepers was always going to get the upper hand.
But the continent was never 'terra nullius'. |
28 comments:
Wonderful photos, Julie. Yes, North America was invaded too, a fact that many of the invader's progeny choose to forget. The First Nations people here also believed in sharing, a concept almost totally absent in European thinking. OOPS! Time to get off my soapbox!
It was the same situation in Sweden for many years, but we do try to celebrate these days. Happy Australia Day to you Julie.
Wonderful captures both. Yes, the same tragedy happened here throughout the Americas. The idea of land ownership was foreign to the long-established cultures already here. Thanks for remembering.
a very fine post, julie.
Happy Australia Day, Julie. Thanks for these thoughts and great pictures.
It is going to be good fun with the National Day theme days.
Wonderful photo and very colourful. Yes, indigenous people certainly are the losers when new "settlers" arrive on their shores. I wonder if that has occurred on all continents of the world...I imagine it has. Unwittingly you captured the intrusion by including the photographer on the right side of your photo!
Have a beautiful Australia Day. Thank you for your thoughts and great images. I will always be grateful to the Aussies for their kindness.
We went to a dinner show at an eco water park south of Cancun. The show recreated all Mexican history, from the Mayans to the present. When the Spanish conquistadors landed the audience booed.
A similar pageant in Buenos Aires included the Spanish conquest of the indigenous peoples, but with the conquistadors treated favorably and no adverse audience reaction.
Happy Australia Day to a beautiful country. I have wanted to visit since I was a child and maybe someday I will. (I hope). MB
Fantastic, Julie. Great idea which will be enjoyed by all. You have supported it with an excellent choice of photos.
Great images and thoughtful comments.
Fabulous! I'm sure there was some celebrating somewhere in Paris though maybe not like this...
Beautiful photos, and a great post.
Yes I agree 88 was turning point..
88 was the turning point because from that year we celebrated the day on the 26th whatever day it fell on rather than just making it a long weekend ... makes a difference I think.
I find it interesting that some indigenous people celebrate with us and others demonstrate against the celebrations.
And some 'invaders' also demonstrate against the celebrations, Diane. Fascinating, isn't it. I think it is called freedom.
I think we are startingto go too far with all the hand on the heart business. Really enjoyed Yabun the year I went.
Beautiful pictures and I am glad you mentioned the other side of celebrating.
Brilliant shots and great post.
interesting comment, Ann. Shall chat ABOUT IT OVER A WINE NEXT WE MEET.
Beautiful photos Julie and so appropriate for the National Day Theme.
Fabulous shots, Julie, and a very interesting commentary. Great post!
Happy Australian Day and let us not forget these First Nations all over the World!
Australian ROUGE! I love these Julie.
V
Wonderful photos Very interesting
Love that first shot! Great color.
Fabulous photos Julie!!! Looks like a fascinating day!
So Julie, are you back?? ;-)
Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia
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