UNDER THE QUANDONG TREE is Minmia's first book. An Aboriginal senior
woman, educator and healer. Minmia is a custodian of traditional women's
lore/law of the Wirradjirri people, an Aboriginal nation in New South
Wales stretching from Dunedoo into Victoria, from the Blue Mountains to
Lake Cargelligo in western New South Wales.
Minmia was instructed to pass down Wirradjirri women's lore/law to any
women interested. Mother earth was suffering from the massive scale of
humanity's destructiveness and the time to act had come. The teachings
in Under the Quandong Tree evolved from talks given at a series of
residential workshops called "Women's Business - Minmia's Sit Down and
Grow Up Weekends."
The philosophy of the Lore, ancient legends, myths and teachings are
outlined in Under the Quandong Tree. Their powerful transformative
teachings are concealed in simple language that even a child could
understand. Minmia has a genuine gift for storytelling and a cheeky
sense of humour. These stories are timely and have relevance for
everyone – Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. In all Koori teachings
the lore/law is "you walk your talk". In this book she shares that law,
in stories and rituals, making available an ancient and rich storehouse
of traditional wisdom to women everywhere.
“Our indigenous culture is the oldest living culture. There’s so much
wisdom and common sense handed down, but some of us have lost our way.
My book is a way of getting back on the path and following our inner
light to guide us. I’m optimistic about our future.”
Chapters on Storylines and Totem Animals prepare the way for the
Journey, the Five Life Stages. Minmia's focus is on women, the various
Ages of women and their special responsibilities.
"Women's business has to do with a way of life that keeps families and
communities together supporting each other. [Women] are the nurturers
of the environment, of the family, of the family structure, of the
kinship lines. They are responsible for the birthing ceremonies and
giving honour back to this land, our mother, Nungeena-tya, for what
she has given to us. "
Migai or Yinarr from 30-50 years old.
"When you reach thirty, in traditional society, you are now a woman - a
migai. There is a ceremony and then you start life again with a clean
slate. Under the lore/law whatever you did before you were thirty cannot
be spoken of or held against you in any way....
Unfortunately, many women today have not grown up understanding that
their wanai years ( from puberty 13-15 to 30 years of age) were a time
when it was OK to make mistakes so instead they carry guilt and shame
about what they did. This guilt and shame can spiritually cripple us.
What we need to do is to try and accept our past mistakes and grow wiser....
Once you're thirty, passion gets married to reason and suddenly you are
seeing the world differently. You've still got the passion but reason is
there to balance it out,
so you become more responsible.
This is when you really start to live your Women's Teachings, and now
you come under the lore/law. Women become more deeply involved in
exploring their essence from forty to fifty years old. At fifty a woman
becomes an elder, a senior woman and she begins to share the teaching
stories with the wanais. " (Under the Quandong Tree p115)
Under the Quandong Tree is recommended reading for participants in the
May 2009 Women's Mystery Weekend.
Experience special ceremonies, and gain new understandings at the
May 2009 Women's Mystery Weekend on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.
Copies of Under the Quandong Tree will also be available during the weekend.
Click here to view/purchase Minmia's book
Click here to view/print information on May 2009 Women's Mystery Weekend (pdf)
