CONVERSATION
CONVERSATION
CONVERSATION
HUMAN TRACES:
ETHIOPIA
HUMAN TRACES:
ETHIOPIA
THE BALANCE OF FACTS
THE BALANCE OF FACTS
THE BALANCE OF FACTS
THE BALANCE OF FACTS
DESTINATIONS
DESTINATIONS
The Dreamtime, or the Dreaming, portrays the Aboriginal beliefs in spiritual existence. According to the tribes that first settled down in the continent, the Dreaming's roots date all the way back to the very begging of the creation of the world. The meaning and ideology of the term is generally not so well-understood by non-indigenous people as it is referred to as part of the culture of one of the early nations, which differs from modern perceptions.
The Spirits were the creators of everything. They made the land and the seas, the rocks and the plants, the sky and the earth. They were the higher power and the Australian Aborigines spent their lifetimes honoring this power, which guided their path and shaped their way of thinking. Not only creators of everything, which could be seen as well as felt, the Spirits also gave the Aborigines the Dreaming.
The time when everything started existing according to the initial Australians, was called the Dreaming. This is the foundation of the continent's culture. The origin of the Dreaming goes way back - 65 000 years back in time to be exact. The Ancestors of the nation shaped the land, forming some parts of it as sacred. The Aborigines were very careful and overprotective of those places, strongly believing in their significance.
The Australian Aborigines are known to have believed that the world didn't have any shape and was therefore empty. Darkness dominated, and life was simply asleep, but this changed when the creation began happening. After the Dreaming and the influence of the Spirits, objects began taking shapes and came to be. They created the four elements: water, earth, air and fire, as well as all the planets, the Sun and the Moon. The Dreaming therefore is a continuous process, which never ended. It is a small cosmos on its own, unifying the past, present and the future into one.
The Australian Aborigines' home riches so many vivid areas of the continent, including Fraser Island, Tasmania, Palm Island, Groote Eylandt and Mornington Island. The Aborigines had very strong believes in relation to the powers of the land, claiming that they never owned it - it rather owned them. The only reason they were able to call it their home is because they were looking after it and the land was taking care of the people in return.
Equally important to the Dreaming was the tribes' understandings of the disappearance of the Spirits. There came a time, when the creators of everything vanished from sight. Some of them were thought to have started living in sacred places, which is why the Aborigines perceived their homeland to be so sacred. The ancestors of today's Australians used to believe that the creators started living in rocks, in water holes and some went up to the sky to guide the people from above and keep them safe. Others transformed completely, taking the forms of the rain, the lightnings and the thunderstorms so they could be part of peoples' life.
Among the hundred's different Aboriginal languages, there isn't a word to describe 'time', because to them this simply doesn't exist. Dreaming and Dreamtime are used to replace it and summarize the ideologies of the Aborigines about everything they knew, everything they could see, feel and experience. This is why the Dreaming has such a vivid, and overwhelming meaning and has survived the obstacles of time. For the past couple thousand years, the Dreaming has built a rich cultural heritage that can identify a whole nation.
Read more about the Land, its connection to people and the way it has been perceived from different generations in the very first print issue of ORIGIN. The Land Issue covers varied topics, most of which remain related to cultural aspects of the land and its importance.
A lot of people travel to explore places and learn about them which is the message that ORIGIN wants to spread. With traveling, however, comes certain responsibilities that we should all be aware of. Elephants riding has become a popular way to explore locations by land. People have been doing this as part of their trips, mostly to places such as Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia and other parts of Asia. It is a common thing to see in certain places in Africa as well. We investigated the activity to explain why it is wrong and riding elephants should be banned everywhere.
Our first print issue studies culture and traveling represented through the land. We explored various location around the globe and learned what makes the land so valuable, which nations cherish it and how it helps us establish an identity. Traveling is important to us but traveling responsibly and making an impact is what we feel proud to stand behind. This is why riding elephants as a way of amusement should be reconsidered.
Let’s talk about the details. Elephants are very caring and extremely intelligent animals. It is a well-known fact that they never forget anything. When kept in captivity instead of spending their life in the wild, elephants die younger. Unlike in other species, this is common for the gentle giants and is often a result for stress.
Many African cultures respect elephants, believing they symbolize strength, loyalty and power. However, power can be a very tender concept. Elephant used as a tourism tool suffer from great pain daily. Elephants can be hurt very severely from the weight of carrying people and a trainer on their backs. The reason for this is the design of their spines. They have sharp protrusions, extending upwards from their spine instead of having round spinal disks. The protrusions and the tissue that serves to protect them can be harmed easily from weight pressure. Once a damage to their spine has been made, there is no going back and sometimes the harm can be irreversible. While this can’t be physically seen, the harm that the chairs can do to the elephants’ skin is. It is often the case that the chairs and the weight on their back can damage the animal’s skin and cause pain to their body. The chair, called Howdah, that gets attached to their backs, rubs on their skin and can cause blisters, which can sometimes get infected.
The training that elephants are required to go through when in captivity sometimes adopts a traditional Thai ‘phajaan’ or ‘crush’ technique. Explaining the technique would compare it to the animals’ spirits constantly and continuously being broken by the means of torture and social isolation. This is done in order to tame them. Elephants are wild animals, this is their nature as they are born in such conditions. Making them safe and obedient around people requires them to go through such training. As horrible as it sounds, in some places young elephants are taken away from their mothers to be abused with nails, bull hooks and bamboo sticks to make them obey rules, given by people. The animals often lack sleep and are starved to become submissive.
Actions from such nature are cruel and harmful as the technique is used to crash the animals’ spirit. Once wild and free, elephants become a source of tourism and entertainment. Nobody, who cared about sustainable tourism should ever ride an elephant.
In a sense, elephants have a human soul. They socialise and feel everything – pain, happiness, grief, sadness etc. They spend their life building families and finding friends. The largest land animals are a gift from nature and it is our responsibility to take special care of them and make sure they live according to their nature. Many animals, who are kept in captivity, are forced to live in isolation and carry heavy loads all day long, which is a wrong way to treat them. Their strength and power shouldn’t be abused but treated gently and celebrated by people. Elephants require minimal care to stay happy and healthy, which comes from giving them freedom to behave naturally and socialise. It is our responsibility to be culturally aware while traveling and make sure to spread awareness about the problem.
You can read the rest of the article as published in the LAND issue.
COSY UP YOUR HOME
NOMADSofORIGIN always encourages our travel nomads to sink into adventures but today we inspire you to stay home and have some fun while you’re at it. Follow our guide to welcoming cosy into your house
Words: Aleksandra Georgieva
Photography: Pixie Content
25 March 2020
NOMADSofORIGIN Magazine’s editors are always on the lookout for sustainable ways to travel and unconventional spots to recommend to our family of nomads. This is something different. For the first time we invite you to get inspired to stay home.
Amid the COVID-19 chaos the best way to keep yourself and others protected is to stay home. Yet, the period of self-isolation might be tricky. Those of us with an everlasting wanderlust find it especially challenging to stay put, but we have got you covered. Follow our rare guide to putting travelling on pause and creating a welcoming atmosphere that will greet you on your way back from all your future adventures.
Welcome warmth.
We recommend you to start with the floors. Invest in some soft carpets that your feet can sink into. A soft-coloured carpet can go a long way. The same rule applies to curtains. Embrace soft fabrics and light colours that are known to make a room appear more spacious, open and warm. Changing something as simple as your curtains and carpets will change the entire vibe to your home. Warmth can transform any room into a real temptation for indoor activities.
Lighting is key.
A soft light can really open a room. Intense lightbulbs can make your home seem a bit cold. Spending longer in a room with a very bright artificial light also strains your eyes and makes you more tired. Consider lower key lighting, perhaps from various sources such as fairy lights, decorative lamps and so on.
Throw in some pillows.
There is nothing cosier than pillows. Put them on your sofas, chairs and floors. Whether you thing bedroom or living room a bit of organised chaos goes a long way. Pillows mean you can choose various cover designs that will bring more colour and excitement to your home. They will also make every corner of a room seem tempting to get comfortable at, whether you’ll choose to watch movies, paint, read a book or get some laptop work out of the way.
Display your memories.
Think of all these travel photos you took in the past and dig them out of your photo albums of camera memory cards. Go back to all the happy times spent with family and friends that you luckily captured on film and frame the photos. Print them in standard size or go big enough to cover half a wall. Displaying past memories and making room for new ones is a great way to make your home extra cosy.
Get inspired.
Much like displaying your memories, it is important that you put an emphasis on what makes you happy. Bring your favourite magazines and books to the front of your shelves. Get your music collection out on display, whether you have CDs or vinyl records. Hang paintings on your walls or create some art yourself. Simply shine light on what makes you feel inspired, whether it is something created by you or those you admire.
Power of plants.
It is incredible how the simplest are usually the best solutions to any situation. Something alive undoubtedly brings some life to your home. Learn how to take care of plants and enjoy the feeling of warmth they gift in return. Pro tip: we know your first thought was probably a cactus, but we recommend you go a bit crazier than decorative coffee table plants. Go big with lively, house plants that grow wide and tall – those are the ones that really open up a room and as a bonus teach you how to take care of something alive.
Indoor gardening is a thing.
We are all dependant on the imported goods and consuming food that is often produced in other countries. Yet, you can grow certain foods at home. Whether you have little or much space, planting the seeds of most fruits and vegetables is an easy way to a more organic diet. Get crazy with herbs, citruses, tomatoes, cucumbers, pineapples and so much more. The internet is full with DIY gardening videos.
Layer up.
Interior designers know about the power of soft textiles and creating layers. Often something as simple as throwing a soft blanket over an armchair is enough to make a room seem modern and edgy. We have all seen it on the pages of magazines, so why not try it at home?! Grab your softest blankets, preferably in warm tones, and layer textiles away.
Candles.
Most people have candles tucked away at home but how many of you actually use them beyond decoration? Spread scented candles in every room. Not only would they bring a cosy feeling to your living space, but certain smells are proven to make people feel happier, more relaxed or inspired. Play around with your favourite scents and embrace the feeling of warmth your home will fill up with.
Personalise your living space.
Breathe life to what makes you happy at home. Whether you are a musician, an artist, writer, adventure seeker, traveller, or a culinary enthusiast, showcase it. Whether what excites you is your job or your hobbies, display the tools that make you who you are. Surround yourself with your musical instruments, ski, cameras, skateboards, cooking equipment, paintbrushes or whatever it is that makes you happy being yourself.
NOMADSofORIGIN Magazine takes the opportunity of the 2019 lockdown to inspire our travel nomads to remain home. This is how you can easily give your home a vibe that will make you wish to spend your free time indoors almost as much as you may be consumed by adventure wanderlust.
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NOMADSofORIGIN is an independent annual publication with a focus on sustainable travelling and global cultural values. Each issue features interviews, engaging articles and photo guides, which take our nomadic readers through different destinations and introduce them to local people's perspectives.
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