The Wilding – Noongar Version

Retold by Dr Lynette Narkle and Melodie Reynolds-Diarra

by Margot Edwards | Copyright 2020

Noongar version / response to the original tale of The Wilding – women’s power as healers and nurturers; sisters standing strong together in the face of domineering and threatening male / father; refusing to accept the inter-generational story of acceptance of domestic violence and rising together instead to say “no more”.

Magic realism gives it the edge of old tale retold – though originally drawn from threads of ideas about women’s strength, shared at a large gathering at International Women’s Day in Wooditjup / Margaret River in Western Australia.

The third voice of bush soundscape throughout, empowers emotional connection and evokes the vital role of boodja ‘mother country’ in Noongar life, even amidst the tyranny of domestic violence, sexism and misogyny. Here is reconnection with feminine power, drawn from pure connection to country and the rising strength of women’s story returning to the call.