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.
SUNFOLK - THE SUN-INSPIRED VINTAGE GOODS TO SHOP THIS SUMMER SEASON
Bring the sunshine into your life with the vintage, sun inspired goods from Sunfolk. We talk to Kate about her passion to combine elements of the two. She finds and creates unique pieces of ceramics and clothes made for the sun lovers
Words: Emily Georgieva
Photography: Sunfolk
22 July 2020
Introducing Sunfolk - the vintage brand inspired by the sun that you need in your life this summer. When planning adventures, travellers often chase the sun, which plays a vital role when deciding where to head to next. A traveller always has a lust to explore different places and search for the unknown. Many people from our nomadic community are more often on the go than not. Those are wanderlusts by heart; nomads by soul; adventurers by calling. The sunshine leads their way and becomes a symbol of their memories. Now there is an easy way to add a splash of sunshine to your wardrobe and your home with these vintage goods designed to make you happier and bring the sun rays into your life.
Sunfolk is THE brand that you should turn to whenever in need of some tropical inspiration. Kate, the founder of Sunfolk, has always had a passion for styling both clothing and home decor. Her fashion sense evolved with time and now you can often find her wearing vintage-looking pieces, which she effortlessly combines with modern ones to complete her style. For as long as she can remember, Kate has been a sun child. One day she had an idea about how she could inspire others. Kate combined her passion for vintage clothing and style with her love for the sun. These became the fundamental elements of Sunfolk. Today, Kate runs her business and aspires to create unique pieces that people fall in love with.
‘‘Every item that I choose is something that I would use or buy for myself. I think that the best way to keep it authentic, is to sell what you love.’’
Kate, founder of Sunfolk for NOMADSofORIGIN Magazine
The sun is a deal-breaker for many travellers and city-breakers who plan their next getaway adventures. Accommodating the theme of the sun into what you wear is a great way to express yourself as a traveller and individual. From hats to tops and footwear, the choice goes on and on.
Sunfolk offers sun-inspired ceramics to bring a touch of light into your home and even invite some sunshine into your workspace. The pieces also make a great gift for your family and friends. The authenticity of the items adds a touch of individuality, which makes them even more personalised. We love shopping from independent businesses, especially ones that explore the concept of travelling from a different, fresher perspective. If you love the sun, have a thing for the vintage style and like the beauty of simple things, Sunfolk is the brand for you.
We talk to Kate to find out more about her sunshine lust, her adventurous soul and to see how she intertwines both into what she creates under the Sunfolk brand.
NOMADSofORIGIN: Sunfolk is such a fun brand. There is a consistency in the style of the products, yet you always have something new and unique to sell to people from your sunny community. What’s your secret?
Kate: Honestly there isn't much of a secret. When I was first starting out, it took me a while to get a feel for what will sell and what I loved selling, but now that I've been doing this for over a year it's just like a second nature. Every item that I choose is something that I would use or buy for myself. I think that the best way to keep it authentic, is to sell what you love.
NOMADSofORIGIN: Where do you gain inspiration for the products you sell and how do you find them?
Kate: The thing about selling vintage is you never really know what you're going to find or where, so when I'm out thrifting, I tend to let the inspiration find me. When it comes to items that catch my eye it usually comes down to three things: is it one of a kind, is it in good vintage condition, and is it something I would use or display in my home. I like to sell pieces that you won't be able to find anywhere else, pieces that people will adore for years and pass down to their children one day.
NOMADSofORIGIN: If you could live with only five Sunfolk vintage goods, what would they be?
Kate: A vintage striped silk scarf definitely, they are the best accessory and so versatile. A cane or raffia basket or bag- they are so cute and perfect for the beach. Ceramics are a must, so definitely a set of 70's rainbow dinner plates or a ceramic set of mugs, I have to say a shell ceramic jewellery dish because they are a favourite and probably a freshwater pearl necklace that I found and couldn't part with.
‘‘I love to bring you pieces that I would wear or use myself. I have always been a sunchild and a vintage lover, so here the two meet to bring you one off pieces to be loved in your life under the sunshine.’’
Kate, founder of Sunfolk
NOMADSofORIGIN: The sun is the leading motif in your brand. You must have a passion for seeking places where you can soak up the sunshine all day long. Which are your favourite holiday destinations?
Kate: Yes, I grew up camping on the beach every break, so it's safe to say the sunshine is necessary when I'm on holiday. Double Island Point and Stradbroke Island are beautiful spots to wake up to the ocean. When it's safe to travel overseas again I'll definitely be checking out all the vintage in Japan!
NOMADSofORIGIN: Why the Sun? What makes it so special for you that you decided to incorporate it into the style of the brand?
Kate: Sunshine is just the aesthetic I aspire for in everything- warm, golden and light, it makes you feel good - which is what I hope my vintage makes people feel. Plus, I collect and photograph everything under the hot Australian sun, so it makes sense.
NOMADSofORIGIN: The Sunfolk products are made for the earth conscious folk. How has the brand evolved since you found it? Have customers influenced any changes in the products you sell at all?
Kate: Sunfolk has definitely evolved since the beginning. It's been a natural evolution though, and one that I hope continues as long as I'm selling. I honestly wouldn't be able to do that without my customers constantly giving me feedback and requests.
NOMADSofORIGIN: Sunfolk is must-know vintage goods brand and we can’t wait to shop more of the items. Do you want to add anything else to this interview?
Kate: I just want to spread the message that buying second hand & vintage is beautiful! It's good for the planet, your wallet and your sense of individuality. Let's work together to make it the norm. Thank you for supporting Sunfolk.
Photography: Aura House
Photography: Aura House
Shop the stylish vintage goods online
See below some of the products we love. Follow the brand on social media.
NOMADSofORIGIN x Sunfolk
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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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