A bush doof slated for the Australia Day weekend has sparked a firestorm of controversy after it was accused of showing disrespect towards Indigenous Australian culture. The wave of criticism has now resulted in the event changing its name.
Lets Go Walkabout: Traditional Aussie Bush Doof has since been renamed Let’s Go Walk-around and is set to take place in the NSW bush two hours outside of Sydney, with a lineup of local and international electronic performers.
Criticism was levelled at the event and its organiser, Leigh Weller, almost as soon as it was announced, with many finding the title of the event offensive. Many also cited dissatisfaction with the fact that such an event was being held on Indigenous land.
The term ‘walkabout’ is a contentious issue for many Indigenous Australians. The word is considered an archaic colonial term, historically referring to a rite of passage in which Indigenous males would undergo a journey during adolescence.
Though in recent times it has been reclaimed by some Indigenous people, its use by non-Indigenous people is considered inappropriate and groups such as Reconciliation Queensland Incorporated advise against its use when discussing Indigenous culture.
Furthermore, the event is being held on Indigenous land and many critics were curious as to whether permission had been given by local elders to host the event on the site or if a Welcome to Country, wherein a local elder or custodian welcomes you to the land, would be held.
The event is also slated for the Australia Day weekend. Australia Day is a controversial topic for many Indigenous people, with many referring to it as Invasion Day or Survival Day. However, organisers were less than receptive to complaints.
After an unnamed writer for the blog Black Australia raised these issues with Weller on the event’s official Facebook page, Weller attempted to let himself off the hook by explaining that he has “no affinity to Australia as a country”.
The writer also shared an image allegedly of a private message from Weller telling them, “Please don’t [sic] come.” Weller has since changed the name of the festival, though graphics featuring the original title and Indigenous-style artwork remain on the event page.
“How about instead of trashing traditional Aboriginal lands with your doof you go educate yourself on Aboriginal culture, spirituality, civilisation and history?” wrote Ruby Wharton of the Aboriginal Provisional Government.
However, the event page has been flooded with comments ‘siding’ with organisers, arguing that complaints about the event are simply a matter of PC gone too far. Readers can check out the backlash via the festival’s Facebook event page to make their own decision.
