Refugees who have fled war zones are connecting with in indigenous culture to find solace and understand more about their new home.

Refugees from South Sudan, Burma and Iran recently climbed up to the top of Wurdi Yawang or Big Rock in the You Yangs, south-west of Melbourne, for a gathering of the elders ceremony.

Wurdi Yawang is a culturally significant site, set amidst the distinctive granite peaks of the You Yangs, which rise from the volcanic plains between Geelong and Melbourne.

It is a spiritual place that has been used by Indigenous ancestors for thousands of years as a gathering place.

The gathering of the elders ceremony marked the start of an extreme two-day “arts walk”, which traces the songlines — or history — of the Wadawurrung people in the region.

Burundian refugee James Bruna, who now lives in Geelong, said taking the walk has helped him better understand Australia.

“Indigenous people are part of this community and we want to join them and respect their tradition,” he said.

Mr Buna said similarities between Indigenous culture and his own helped give him a feeling of belonging.

“We come to celebrate the elders. Because elders in the community are very important, especially in the African community and we need to honour them,” he said.

Karen Burmese refugee Hsar Say said he also wanted to celebrate Aboriginal people.

“It’s very important for the community to get a good spirit, and to get peace and harmony. It’s a way of unity,” he said.

Wadawurrung traditional owner Corrina Eccles led a song and dance in language with other women.

“Those stories are important to pass down to other generations … we find that people from other cultures really embrace it,” she said.

“They want to know more about the first peoples, they want to know more about the stories, they want to connect to the first peoples of the land.”

Ms Eccles said dance was particularly helpful for sharing history with people from other countries.

“We all have different languages. We find they [people from other countries] really embrace, respect and value what we have to share.

“It’s really significant that it starts with the first peoples sharing our story,” she said.

“It’s people being knowledgeable of the first people that cared for this land, for this country.”

“If we don’t have healthy country, we don’t have healthy people” she said.

The ceremony was also attended by Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale who agreed caring for country was essential.

“When we protect country, we protect ourselves,” he said.

Laurie Nowell
AMES Australia Senior Journalist