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about
How did the song Murnong Farm come to be?
I was commissioned to write this track as part of a series of events held by Arts House North Melbourne. The event runs each year and last year it was titled Refuge 2019: Displacement.
In the lead up to writing this piece, I reflected on my own displacement: displacement from my grandfather’s generation, from my mother’s generation and eventually to me.
My Grandfather’s generation were displaced from their home at Cummergunuja Mission, moving from the tyranny of a controlling Mission manager and the strict enforcement rules of the NSW government, to the freedom of Victoria, then eventually, to the fruit growing towns of Mooroopna and Shepparton to find work. My following generation, saw my mother moving from Shepparton to Bendigo to further her education. Lastly, I ended up moving to Melbourne to go to University and follow my dream of becoming a musician.
It was throughout this reflection time, that I read Bruce Pascoe’s book Dark Emu. I already had a vegetable garden and I became really interested in learning to plant and harvest native plants. I researched traditional native foods and methods of growing them. I love food and wanted to share my knowledge with my audience and encourage them to reflect on this Indigenous knowledge as possible solutions to climate and social justice issues.
I believe the patriarchal nature of colonisation and the representation of the traditional Indigenous diet has mainly been focused on our men as hunters, providing meat as the staple food. The important contribution of women as gatherers and healers, and their knowledge of edible, non-edible and medicinal plants has not been given due recognition. I hope to encourage the learning of indigenous native plants and their benefits to a wholefood plant strong diet.
By writing this piece and as a Yorta Yorta person, I have found peace in my current living situation through practicing sovereignty in the backyard of my current rental. I know it will never satisfy my internal desire to walk on my own land, my own country … but Preston is ok for now.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Get your sheep off the soil
That I aired with my hands
For more than 2000 generations.
I am sovereign, I am free,
Unbound myself of western mental shackles,
Machine type mental slavery.
But you see, I’m not free,
Not until I’m with my land.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Get your sheep off the soil
That I aired with my hands
For more than 2000 generations.
We made this country,
These counties, this nation, these nations.
These countries made us
Dreaming.
So get your sheep off the land
That we tended with my hands
For countless generations.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Going to start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston.
Can I start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston?
Can I kill the grass,
Turn the soil with my fingers,
Revitalized the old traditions?
Can I start a murnong farm
In my rental in Preston?
Warmth of the aunties,
Flowers shine bright,
Like the women who dig them.
There flowers yellow,
Strong like the sun
Reflecting the power within them
And their men!
credits
released May 29, 2020
Written by Allara
Support from Arts House (North Melbourne) as a commission for Refuge 2019: Displacement
Consultation from Elders of and residing on Kulin Land
Allara is a powerful Yorta Yorta winyarr. She is a storyteller, composer, director, producer, musician and soundscape
designer. With humour and integrity, Allara uses the double-bass and sound samples from Country to weave textures for healing in her work “I am Sovereign, I am Free”. Allara's innovative music speaks to Blak justice and sovereignty....more
Proceeds from this hauntingly beautiful dark folk LP will be donated to Plataforma de Apoio aos Refugiados, for Portuguese refugee support. Bandcamp New & Notable May 16, 2021
