REVITALISING RECIPROCITY WITH THE GAELIC LANDSCAPE
About this event
Have you ever wondered about living indigeneity in the north-west fringes of Europe, about what Gaelic ceremonial practice might look like, or about whether land-based ritual has a practical application in today’s world?
“Dùthchas Beò – revitalising reciprocity with the Gaelic landscape” provided an afternoon-long exposé addressing these very topics.
The interactive session was led by CHARTS Gaelic Culture Officer Àdhamh Ó Broin, a tradition bearer and activist who has spent 15 years reclaiming and revitalising the native language and lore of Central Argyll and embodying its value system, bringing his children up as first language Argyll Gaelic speakers.
Over the last decade, Àdhamh has had the privilege of stepping into ceremony with dozens of guests from all around the indigenous world; the Maori of New Zealand, the Mohawk of Six Nations Ontario and the Karajá of Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest to name but a few. These experiences have assisted and inspired the process of re-establishing a working, reciprocal relationship with the land whose dialect Àdhamh has diligently retrieved from extinction through long hours spent with the last of the areas’ native Gaelic-speaking elders.
This submersive experience about how the symbiosis of Gaelic language and landscape operates in its natural context, took place in Argyll around the Spring Equinox, at sacred spots to gave offerings to the land and explored simple ritual practice.
This was followed by a chance to break bread and share thoughts after the event at the Crinan Hotel.
Bithidh fàilte chridheil romhaibh!
(A hearty welcome awaits)