Gabo Djara — B. Wongar

During the 1950s and 1960s, the British devastated the lands and the tribes of the Australian aborigines through the extensive mining of uranium and through secret nuclear tests. B. Wongar uses these shocking historical events as the starting point for this powerful novel about the destruction of a people and a culture.

 

According to myth, Gabo Djara, an immense green ant and the spiritual ancestor of local tribes, created the aboriginal land and the pattern of human life there. Then he retreated to the spirit world. But if the land were disturbed, he would "rise again, monstrous, to harass the intruders". And so he does, in this satiric and scathing allegory which pits culture against culture.

 

Gabo Djara returns, following the nuclear and mining devastations. He infiltrates the reigning circles of white man's society and creates havoc in politics and government, industry, and the church. Although he is pursued relentlessly, he is never captured. Finally, he succeeds in his quest for regeneration and the restoration of aboriginal ways.

 

'Gabo Djara' is the third book in B. Wongar's highly acclaimed 'nuclear trilogy'. 'Walg' and 'Karan', the first and second books, are also available, and the trilogy has since been extended with the addition of a prequel 'Manhunt', and two further books, 'Raki' and 'Didjeridu Charmer'.