Law and legends of “the Cobar Mob”

By Denis Kevans

KATOOMBA -- Koori artist (and sometimes didgeridoo player in Katoomba) Graeme King's latest exhibition at the Parakeet Cafe told the stories, law and legends of his “Cobar mob”.

The centrepiece was in the classic Koori style of a design showing where his people have been, and where they have lived and worked. You might say it's a series of hearts pulsing along connecting arteries, joining in a central, emotional power the songs and teachings of the songman and songwoman.

These emotional centres are real places, like Carowra Tank, Keewong Station, and Trida and Mossfield Stations.

At the centre of the design is a spiral where the songman and songwoman are singing the initiation: “That's what it means”, Graeme explained. “These ceremonies are sacred events; the initiation of a number of young boys to turn them into men.”

“They've been out there 18 months with the clever ones (Wirangan), who teach them the secret, sacred business, and they come back, as men, to the community.”

The title of the painting is Ngiyampaa, which means “word/speak/law/world”.

Other important stories are Wiawai -- the red-capped robins; Nilgiyalu -- the acacia, a love story; and Kirrpatya -- where God (Gouda-Gouda) creates a kangaroo.

Next time you hear about an exhibition of Graeme King's, try to get along to see it.

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