In the language of the original peoples of this land, there is no word for wilderness. The closest word
for wilderness is "home". They live upon the land -and with the land- not as a dominant species, as we mamalthni* live, but as part of the interconnected whole, which must provide for future descendants to the seventh generation. Each family is responsible for and to a territory, ensuring that only what is needed is taken, with respect, the land then allowed to heal. Each tribe has its hahuulthi**, with its own protocols, responsibilities, and language, handed down over thousands of years.
People and land are one.
No word for wilderness
but "Home".
**hahuulthi - traditional territory
A very irregular haibun for Sumana's prompt at Midweek Motif: Wilderness
Sadly, the balance has been rudely destroyed by mamalthni's greed and need to own everything in sight.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect!!! The earth is our "home", too bad those in control, mamalthni, don't know....or don't care.
ReplyDelete[In the language of the original peoples of this land, there is no word for wilderness. The closest word
ReplyDeletefor wilderness is "home".]
Luv that opener. This is exactly the kind of poem I expected you would write in response to this prompt. I am in no way disappointed.
Thanks for dropping by my blog Sherry
much love...
Beautifully stated truth, that we all [should] have our home in earth herself, "people and earth are one."
ReplyDeleteHow perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe Australian indigenous people have the same philosophy as your first nation people..Sadly the colonisers plundering the earth's resources have succeeded in the progressive destruction of the planet.
ReplyDeletethis may be an irregular haibun and haiku - but damn forms - because this is perfect. It reads as a message, as if an ancient voice is speaking - and it carries the weight of the world and the words on the shoulders, and gives them wings - to fly, to reach out - and touch us.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible.
And by the by, saw an ad today, coming in mid August - a new film (forgot the name) but it's so right up your alley - about a lost boy and a lost wolf - hmmm ... maybe called Alpha? Anyhow .... keep your eyes open ... I'm sure your heart will be skipping beats.
This piece reminds me why whenever my wife and I were exploring the wild places in Australia, walking through a forests, discovering a lake with no another soul in sight surrounded by birds and animals curious with us and checking us out or walking on a pristine beach with just the sea and shore birds ignoring us as they fed in the shallows we understood we too could be part of beauty of the Earth.
ReplyDeleteEach tribe has its hahuulthi**, with its own protocols, responsibilities, and language, handed down over thousands of years.
ReplyDeleteSuch community living is now difficult to sustain as ownership tends to favor on an individual basis. Progress has its price!
Hank
Incredible that but about having no word for wilderness... when you think about it...coining that word was the beginning of the destruction.
ReplyDeleteLove the deep understanding and the thoughtfulness of the indigenous people. That's true civilization. So perfectly put, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Sherry. The wilderness is home.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the earth is not just an environment....its our home and it has provided all the conditions for our survival.So accurately put, Sherry!!
ReplyDelete"Home" is the best of all possible words. Happy indeed are the creatures who find their true homes.
ReplyDelete