More Wonders of Outback Australia

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While we were holidaying in the Northern Territory, Australia, we visited a number of attractions in the West McDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs. One of these was Standley Chasm, a narrow gap in walls of quartzite rock, caused by floodwaters over thousands of years. It is owned by direct descendants of the aboriginal tribe that has lived in the area for thousands of years. Standley Chasm is named in honour of Mrs Ida Standley the first school teacher to go to Alice Springs. In 1925, Mrs Standley became matron of a school at Jay Creek for children of Aboriginal descent. The sun only penetrates the chasm for a few hours in the middle of the day. It was along this track that we purchased a dot painting from an aboriginal artist. From Standley Chasm we moved on to Ormiston Gorge, a lovely area with a permanent water-supply and stately ghost gums. We climbed to a lookout here and had a wonderful view over the surrounding countryside. We stayed the night here and moved on next day to the ochre pits which I've already written about. However I found among the photos some information of what the various colours of ochre were used for. The white and yellow ochres were used mainly for decoration or cosmetic purposes. It would be mixed with water or animal fat (goanna, emu, possum) to make a paste and applied with a finger or feather. Red ochre was the most symbolic and often feared colour by the local tribes. It was applied to adolescent boys as part of their initiation. Ochre was dug by the men and they were responsible for ensuring the women had sufficient ochre for their ceremonies. Ochre mixed with fat or grease also had medicinal qualities. Ochre and eucalyptus leaves were rolled together and used as medication for head and chest colds. Red ochre was rubbed into aching muscles. Women would sing over the medications to enhance their healing powers.