MY NAME is Professor Peter Hancock and I am an anthropologist in the field of Aboriginal studies.
I’ve been following the recent Tony Maddox court case over his building of a driveway over Boyagerring Brook on his property and I have spoken to him about it.
However, I have to clarify the notion that the Waugal, which is named as evidence in the State Government prosecution case, is a “myth”.
It is not.
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It is a creation story passed down through millennia and all human cultures have them.
Across Australia, all Aboriginal language groups (about 320 of them) had creation stories prior to British occupation.
Most were similar and involved water and serpents.
Serpents are pivotal in Christianity, Islam and dozens of lesser-known creation stories.
The story of Adam and Eve tempted by a serpent to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden is a classic example that exists in every Christian bible.
Please be mindful that words such as ‘myth’ are English words derived from ancient Greek and have no equivalent in any Aboriginal language.
Mr Maddox’s case highlights the continual clash of language and culture.
In defining the Waugal as a mythical serpent, the State prosecutor, has erred – it is a creation story.
Explaining Mary and Jesus to Muslims can elicit the same incredulity – even hate, or worse.
The fact that the Northam magistrate and defence lawyer failed to challenge the prosecution’s use of the term ‘myth’ is testament to widespread ignorance of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
By default, Mr Maddox cannot be held to account.
Dr Peter Hancock
Dewars Pool
