Historical/Fantasy
Fiction
Published:
October 2018
Publisher: Xlibris
Along
the Waterways is book two of the Dreamtime Mysteries trilogy. Anthropology
student, Rex Graham, is presented with a second set of ancestral paintings
encoded with clues about the forgotten legends that formed the Dreamtime
legends of his people. Rex revisits a sacred tree in his native territory: the
resting place of his deceased grandmother, where the atmosphere of the bush has
a hypnotic effect on his mind. After
falling asleep, the bush springs to life and ‘Gran Yan’ shares more history
with the Australian bush about a bygone era of indigenous peoples: their
journeys, adventures, social gatherings and way of life.
The
Booran people, territorial owners of the region, returned to their homeland
many generations after journeying to the desert in the wake of catastrophic
wild-fires, guided by their migrating bird totem, the pelican.
Following
their return to Yaraan Grove, the first-born child was named after the great
eagle, Mullawaa that guided them home. The boy proved gifted beyond the
people's understanding, and his innovative projects proved unacceptable to
their tradition-bound culture. Fearing the youth would anger their earth-mother
and punish them with more droughts, they called upon Mullawanda to utilise
inventive gifts to rediscover lost skills due to their time spent in the
desert, and concentrate on practical needs such as boat-building. Defying the elders, the youthful adventurer
landed himself in unexpected situations and encounters with some unique
communities. Some unsolved mysteries
that were raised in book one unfold, as Gran Yan shares the stories. Action,
suspense, intrigue and a dabble of romance add flavour to the story, along with
the unique inclusion of illustrations created by the author, together with her
front and back cover paintings.
The
book is divided into seven parts and includes a glossary of indigenous
languages, index of characters and their tribal groups, plus a bibliography of
cultural research.
Other
Books in the Dreamtime Mysteries series:
Native
Companions: Dreamtime Mysteries
Publisher:
Xlibris
Published:
August 2018
Rex
Graham, a part-Aboriginal student of anthropology, is searching for his own
indigenous ancestral history: customs, language and dreamtime legends. Due to a
lifetime bond to his Aboriginal grandmother, he is enlightened after her
passing, when he discoverers the key to his lost people’s history and
traditional history: preserved in artwork bequeathed to him on her deathbed.
Driven by a passion to learn the truth about the simplistic drawings, the
legends unfold as epic mythology: filled with adventure, drama and a wealth of
traditional Aboriginal survival and culture.
Barnett
captures the strong bond the Booran people have with nature—how they lived off
and with the land, communicating with it, respecting it, learning from it. Like
any good collection of myths, there is also the educational aspect of these
tales. Readers will learn about the spirits the Booran people believe in,
manhood initiation ceremonies, and other cultural practices such as
communication rules and skin signs with other tribes. Blending a fictional
premise with well-researched legends, this book is a great starter read for
those interesting in learning more about Aboriginal stories, and includes a
glossary of mixed aboriginal language, index of communities and bibliography at
the end of the story.
About
the Author
Jenni
Barnett was born and raised in South Australia. During her college education at
Glenelg, the author developed an interest in archaeology and indigenous
societies. Further to an extensive nursing career, Jennifer embarked on studies
in traditional medicine with which she is still involved.
As
a registered Traditional Western and Chinese Medicine practitioner, the author
has done considerable research into early indigenous cultures. While enjoying
creative writing and drawing, she decided to combine the two art forms and
incorporate them in a traditional, pre-European setting.
During
her youth, Jenni spent considerable time working in remote regions of Central
Australia, where she learned about many aspects of Aboriginal culture. She
developed a respect for certain Aboriginal people of the time, whom were still
practising certain traditional ways of living, including bush foods and
medicines as well as arts and crafts.
The author is particularly fascinated by the ability of Australian
indigenous bush-men to access a higher sense, or instinct. Their survival
skills in remote regions of Australia where early pioneers often perished are
emphasized in her writing.
As
a semi-retired traditional medicine practitioner, Jenni resides with her
husband in Queensland Coastal region, dividing her time between writing,
sketching and her health practice. Along with her husband she has spent
countless hours establishing a bird friendly environment by cultivating native
plants and an eco-friendly environment.
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