Thousand kilometres

Over the course of a year

‘Natural’

Growth fire sculptured

Earth a mosaic

Region centred

Lithe flames

Ochre collected

Natural world alive with spirits

Guides addressed a bird with hoots, the bird responded, ‘on hearing which they shouted with the most extravagant demonstration of joy’

Elements feared – in particular thunder and lightening

The constellations – ‘they spoke of stars’

Extinguished – ‘the poignancy of sorrow expressed cannot be surpassed’

Relics – ‘the ashes of the dead were collected in a piece of Kangaroo-skin, and every morning before sunrise a portion of them was smeared over the faces of the survivors.’

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