Response to Rap Point 2
from the Dullyrappers
at Dulwich Hill High
Advantages for the boy and his people in following their cultural beliefs are:
They can find out and know about things that are hidden from most of us, such as the knowledge of ancient spirits and respect for the land they came from. If the boy gets into danger or in trouble he can rely on the Girragandji (his inner spirit) and the Binna Binna Man (an external spirit linked to the land) and his extended family to give him guidance and support. The Girragundji appears a few times in the book to give him guidance.
The extended but close family supports people who get in trouble, such as Shandell, who is helped by the boy who saves her life. Aunty Lill is very ill, but she still has something to live for – her people who still respect her.
People who follow their cultural beliefs know their culture and can pass it on to their kids. They know who they are. They have a clear identity.
If a person loses contact with their culture, they will also lose their identity. Shandell is a “hardhead” who doesn’t believe in the old ways. She is following in Sister Girl’s path which leads to death. The Binna Binna man punishes, warns and changes her when she is turned into an old woman at the beach..
Sister Girl died of reasons the book doesn’t mention, but the boy and his people believe it was because she had rejected her culture. She may have died of suicide, drug abuse or by some accident.
Losing contact with your culture means losing yourself.
Message to Meme and Boori:
People from other lands can belong here if they grow up here or feel that they belong here, that Australia is their home.
