Dark Sparklers is a beautiful book in the hand with over 100 photographs many of which focus on prehistoric Aboriginal paintings and engravings. It is also, with 30 sky maps, the first properly presented, detailed indigenous astronomy published anywhere in the world. Over 150 extended passages of verbatim quotations from the Senior Elder provide an understanding of indigenous culture seldom given to the outside reader. Experts in many fields find it excellent with words like ‘wonderful’ and ‘magnificent’, and contemporary Aboriginal Art specialist ArtMob in Hobart describe it as a ‘landmark publication’.

The book is in 2 parts. Bill Harney explores (in five chapters) the traditional totemic culture of Wardaman people, especially its Creation Story. We find how as a young man he learned the night sky as part of this culture. This gives this book of cultural astronomy its authenticity. Then, in the next five chapters, the night sky songlines with their Lightning actors relating to earthy and cultural practical realities, and the Spiritual Presences, are presented within the annual calendar. In the Appendices, 13 detailed skymaps summarize this indigenous night sky, and a brief story of the research is given to explain some of the background to the Introduction’s Glossary. A small Bibliography has a note on selection processes. A brief Index precedes a page on the authors and painter.

There are 8 original paintings in Dark Sparklers: five by Bill Yidumduma Harney in his country’s traditional idiom (not dot-painting); and three that interpret his night sky in naïve style, by Byron Bay artist, Samantha Wortelhock. One of these is on the front cover (and this website) with Bill Harney’s major Aboriginal-Dreaming painting, and her contribution to the book in real terms cannot be overestimated.

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