From http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 90,00.html
STUDENTS at the Numbulwar Community Education Centre on the remote east Arnhem Land coast were removed yesterday after a traditional owner cursed the school, the medical centre, the council offices, the credit union and the shop.
It is understood students will not return to the school until Aboriginal elders undo the curse with a smoking ceremony.
"There has been a curse, but the school doesn't close because of the curse," said a white person from the school.
"I don't know what happened. It's just local folklore. Someone apparently cursed the school and some parents chose to come and check their children out. But the school is still open and functioning -- the teachers are still here."
It is believed the father of two young students arrived at the school yesterday morning in an angry state.
An Aboriginal source who wished to remain anonymous said: "Yes, it's a school curse. One of the old blackfellas cursed the school. He got angry for his kids ... because some of the kids they always tease them."
Elders consulted yesterday on who should perform the smoking ceremony on the school. "They'll fix it up," the Aboriginal source said.
"Every time someone curses the shop or the office, they have to put some grass and burn it up, Aboriginal way."
The man cursed several buildings close to the school, in rapid succession. The council office was functioning within hours of being cursed after a smoking ceremony was conducted. The school had yet to be uncursed yesterday afternoon.
Z
STUDENTS at the Numbulwar Community Education Centre on the remote east Arnhem Land coast were removed yesterday after a traditional owner cursed the school, the medical centre, the council offices, the credit union and the shop.
It is understood students will not return to the school until Aboriginal elders undo the curse with a smoking ceremony.
"There has been a curse, but the school doesn't close because of the curse," said a white person from the school.
"I don't know what happened. It's just local folklore. Someone apparently cursed the school and some parents chose to come and check their children out. But the school is still open and functioning -- the teachers are still here."
It is believed the father of two young students arrived at the school yesterday morning in an angry state.
An Aboriginal source who wished to remain anonymous said: "Yes, it's a school curse. One of the old blackfellas cursed the school. He got angry for his kids ... because some of the kids they always tease them."
Elders consulted yesterday on who should perform the smoking ceremony on the school. "They'll fix it up," the Aboriginal source said.
"Every time someone curses the shop or the office, they have to put some grass and burn it up, Aboriginal way."
The man cursed several buildings close to the school, in rapid succession. The council office was functioning within hours of being cursed after a smoking ceremony was conducted. The school had yet to be uncursed yesterday afternoon.
Z