Becoming Land

Abstract

This chapter sets the historical, anthropological and cosmopolitical context for the 13 other chapters assembled here. It is organised around the 5 thematic parts of the book. ‘The Indigenous Australian Experience of the Rhizome’ (Part One) explains Guattari’s interest for the rhizomatic practice of the Aboriginal nomadic territorialisation of myth, ritual and dreams with examples of oneiric revelations and speeches by Warlpiri women and men. ‘Totem, Taboo and the Women’s Law’ deconstructs anthropological and psychoanalytical preconceptions about religion, gender and society. ‘The Aboriginal Practice of Transversality and Dissensus’ (Part 3) analyses various forms of local, national and transnational Indigenous resistance to defend their culture, their land and social justice. ‘Micropolitics of hope and De-essentialisation’ (Part 4) introduces decolonial debates about race and environment with examples from France, Africa and the Pacific. ‘Dancing with the Spirits of the Land’ (Part 5) draws ecosophical lessons from Afro Brazilian and Indigenous forms of spiritual healing.