The Goanna, represents the totem of the Wiradjuri people. A totem links the person directly with creation time and the spiritual world (sometimes referred to as "The Dreaming"
In traditional times a totem came with the responsibility to honour and learn about that animal and everything that was connected to it....it's behaviour, where it lived, and what it needed to survive and how it helped the survival of other things. Aboriginals people have special responsibilities to their totems and ensure their survival by protecting them in different ways
You are responsible for looking after everything that was connected to you both. If your totem was the Goanna, you would learn that you are related to the trees, the grass, the insects, the rain and the wind and all things which were connected to the Goanna.
Most importantly, you would learn how all those things connect to yourself - how they all become your brothers and sisters, part of your family and the responsibility which..
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Wiradjuri Girl Joined: Aug-24-2013 |
My tribe are the Wiradjuri people from New South Wales, Australia. Our people have a strong spiritual connection to the land. Wiradjuri people had their own language and a rich culture of stories and songs. My clan lived on the banks of the Lachlan River. My earliest memories are from that area, though I later lived and grew up on the eastern coast of N.S.W. It is my duty as an Elder to keep our culture alive and pass on the knowledge and stories, not only to my Children and Grandchildren but to share with all who want to learn about, appreciate and respect the Indigenous people of Australia and their culture.
