The size and scope of Uluru goes well beyond the physical presence of the monolith itself. Even the word you use to refer to “The Rock” says a lot about your politics. Do you call it Uluru? Then you probably agree, at least in part, with the Australian government’s decision to return ownership of the land to the Anangu tribe of Aborigines who have lived there for almost forty thousand years. Do you call it Ayers Rock, the name given to it by white explorer William Gosse, who came upon the site in 1873? That may say something about you, too.
Me? I never knew quite what to think while I was there. The park is called Uluru-Kata Tjuta. The airport that services the region, Connellan Airport, is designated with the official code AYQ for its unofficial name… Ayers Rock Airport. I heard both “Uluru” and “Ayers Rock” used interchangeably… but, I should add, I never heard any Aborigine call it Ayers Rock. I’ve been referring to it as Uluru because that’s the official name for it today, just as Denali is the official name for what was once referred to as Mount McKinley.
I’ve prepared a number of videos about the time we spent around The Rock. This first one is very much one… and only one… perspective. It struck me how many different ways there are to relate to Uluru. This first video is rooted in the scientific and ecological perspective, and I’m so grateful for the time rangers with Parks Australia gave us to explore the region and answer our questions. The next video will reflect just as much gratitude to our Aboriginal hosts who spoke with us on camera about their lives, their stories and their very strong feelings about Uluru.
So take the video as one perspective, and remember it’s but one perspective of many. I’ll share another perspective in the next Thursday post, and continue from there with some personal observations, based on our motivations for coming here, our own perceptions and expectations, and some observations on what changed once we were on the ground and taking it all in for ourselves.
As I’ve grown found of saying… onwards!
