Sunday 14 August 2011

Gudju Gudju - The Great Rainbow Serpent



Back in the dreaming when everything was dark and cold, lost dreaming spirits were wondering the land. Gudju-Gudju, the great rainbow serpent spirit roused from his sleep decided to create a world of beauty and purpose. The process of creation began.

He rubbed the coils of his body so hard fire was created for the first time. He called on the spirit of the Kookaburra to call the sun to rise and to create the first day.

All the spirits marvelled at what stood before them. With one great flash of light they came before the Rainbow Serpent and found him pulsating with magnificent colour. The spirits were told to go into the world and to create beautiful living things, animals, birds, trees and fish.

The earth rose into shapes of mountains and hills, rivers and creeks, then he blew on the sky and his breath formed feathery white clouds. The trees began to turn various shades of green, the mountains to violet and purple, and the birds began to display colours of the rainbow.

He told his people: What you are witnessing is part of you, and you are part of it, you must respect everything you see, hear and feel. Without this respect you will drag yourselves back into the freezing darkness for all eternity. I will now sleep forever but will guard the treasures which were created this day.

Story told by Paddy Jerome an elder of the Undami people North West of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Another Aboriginal dreamtime story which is part of the curriculum that we teach to the kids who attend Mt Druitt Learning Ground in Sydney.


"Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high, There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby"


Above mural photo of a serpent taken in Treagear, Western Sydney in August 2006.

10 comments:

Christine said...

That's a beautiful creation myth to teach the children.

Cinderella said...

Good Sunday to you Miruspeg:)

We definitely ned to respect the earth, the oceans and the air. It is VERY important that we know what a gift it is, and to take care of it with love.

I believe Earth is alive and has a soul which cannot be eternally abused by pollution, without there being consequences.

Anonymous said...

A rainbow serpent - but of course! A beautiful story and how wise of the elders to add the part about protecting our environment. I love the part about pulsing with colour.

Marja said...

What a beautiful story which expresses so much the respect to mother earth and all its treasures.
We could learn a lot from these stories.Great to tell them to the children. The maorie have some beautiful ones as well I will have a look at them Thanks for sharing dear miruspeg and have a fantastic day

miruspeg said...

Christine, Cinderella, Stoneweaver, Marja - I love that we are all on the same page regarding this wonderful Aboriginal dreamtime story.

I feel so privileged to be part of the team reading these stories to the disadvantaged kids in Mt Druitt. And they really "get it" too!

Imagine if these dreamtime stories were taught in all schools throughout Australia. I really feel children would have a much better understanding about the world we live in and how precious a world it is.

McMGrad89 said...

A nice story.

Mike Smith said...

Respect is sadly lacking in many aspects of life these days. Hope you are well, Peggy.

Roban said...

I may have to share this with my students when we study myths. I like to expand their horizons beyond Greek and Roman.

I'm catching up on some blog visiting. You may here from me again on another post.

xxx said...

Wonderful Peggy... I love our Australian Indigenous culture. Much to be learned and enjoyed.

Thanks for sharing this with a wider audience.

x Robyn

Unknown said...

It is so sad that humanity has lost the reverance and respect for the planet and all life on it. We truly need to get back to basics with nature, and stop taking her for granted.