Burrawang Dreaming

Burrawang West Station is located within the traditional lands and home of the Calara River people, part of the Wiradjuri Nation of Indigenous People of NSW. Inspired by impressions and shapes left in the earth and waters of Burrawang West Station, local artist, Mark Powell, one of the Calara River People, created this painting “Old Man Burrawang”. The painting tells the story of Burrawang, a renowned local tribal leader (known as a ‘Cleverman’ or ‘Man of High Degree’), who held sacred knowledge and teachings of the creation Ancestors. Burrawang is thought to remain here with us to this day, where he is resting, guarding the land and for songs, dances and ceremonies to renew his spirit energy.

According to Aboriginal beliefs, during the “dreamtime” creation period, the ancestors traveled, skirmished, and hunted across the land. Assaults and lovemaking left a permanent mark on the earth’s surface. Leaving their imprints in the topography of the land over which they journeyed, the Ancestors brought (sang) into being all the life forms and left behind laws and patterns for social relationships.

Upon completing their tasks, Ancestors transferred their energy (spirit) into the hills, creeks, lakes and trees and then departed by going into the earth or rising into the sky. The trails or tracks of the creation beings (dreaming Tracks or Song lines), stretch in all directions, criss-crossing the entire continent of Australia. Each of these ‘journeying pathways’ and their associated dreaming places (sacred sites), has energy and power that is continually renewed by the songs, dancing and ceremonies of tribal groups. Each of the tribal groups is responsible for sections of a song or story. ‘Clever Men’, who are sometimes referred to as ‘tribal doctors’, ‘Featherfoot’ or ‘Kadaicha’, have the ability to perform ‘magic’ or healing and are known to communicate with and take the shape of totems or other animals.

In addition to painting, the artist Mark Powell enthusiastically works with young members of his community teaching traditional Dance, Law and Song. Mark is also our head Didgeridoo instructor. Visit the Aboriginal Culture page