Barani – a Sydney Harbour story
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It’s early in the morning in Pirrama (Pyrmont).
Barani, a young Gadigal boy, is using his knowledge of the seasons to predict a plentiful catch of Dhanj (schooling mullet).
The blooming wattle signals the start of the mullet run from their spawning grounds in the Parramatta River out into the ocean.
Climbing the highest Gundhu (tree) on the headland, Barani spots the abundant Dhanj teeming in the harbour.
He meets his mother at their Gunya (shelter) camp, and together they take their Nawi (canoe) out on the water of Sydney Harbour.
Barani’s mother teaches him how to fish.
When Barani's Gaarma (bag) is filled with Dhanj, they cook fresh fish in their Nawi.
Later, under the full Djadju (moon), a mother and child Burriburri (Humpback whale) swim into the harbour.
They come to the same place as Barani and his mother were fishing.
Mother and child. Human and whale.
All are sharing the experience of learning on the waters of Gomora (Darling Harbour).
"Barani is in part about the visibility of the women as fisherwoman, the first commercial merchants in what would become the colony. They saw the starvation of the newcomers and saw an opportunity to prosper as well as provide with the wisdom of their knowledge. Victimhood at the time was not part of their vocabulary."
Barani Project ambassador Rhoda Roberts
Developed by Studio Gilay, Barani is a bittersweet narrative set in Warrane (Sydney Cove) 500 years ago, juxtaposing humanity's current existence in the Anthropocene with a time of harmony between humans and nature. The story, rich in historical and cultural value, prompts audiences to reconsider the history of the land under their feet.
Australian National Maritime Museum
"Based on the Vivid Sydney 2024 theme – Humanity, we have developed this story with the talents of Studio Gilay. We wanted to tell a story of about the harbour that surrounds us and the people who protected it for generations. It teaches us to stop and listen, to look and to learn, to connect and protect what surrounds us."
Museum Director and CEO Ms Daryl Karp AM
