'I feel better already' says Prince Charles after spiritual blessing by didgeridoo master in Australia

Robert Jobson11 May 2018

The Prince of Wales declared he felt "better already" after being given a spiritual blessing by the world didgeridoo master in Australia.

On a tour of the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre in Gove, which showcases the work of the area's indigenous people, Charles took part in a Yidaki healing ceremony, where a didgeridoo was blown close to his chest.

World-renowned didgeridoo master Djalu Gurriwiwi performed the 30-second blessing, after which Charles smiled and said: "I feel better already!"

Wearing a stone-coloured suit and brown shoes, Charles spoke to people whose work was displayed at the centre and admired their intricate pieces.

At one point, Charles could not contain his amusement when a woman's phone rang just as he was about to shake her hand.

"Shall we see who it is?," he joked.

Prince Charles chats with an indigenous elder during a traditional Welcome to Country Ceremony on April 9, 2018 in Gove, Australia
Getty Images

Earlier, the Prince of Wales went walkabout in the Australian Outback today and was given a warm welcome by Aboriginal clans.

He donned a Mulka String, a feather stringed headband, and a Bathi, a string basket before taking part in a colourful traditional “welcome to country” dance welcome.

As Charles watched on in 90 degree heat, as leaders of the Dhimurru and Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporations stressed the land was “our identity” and they were still fighting to be recognised as “the real landowners.”

The prince, who has been coming to Australia since he was a teenager, said, “This is the furthest north I have ever been. It is very hot.”

The Prince of Wales watches a Welcome to Country Ceremony in his honour on April 9, 2018 in Gove, Australia
Getty Images

He went on, “It is truly amazing that this has been happening for thousands of years.”

The prince was told the story of Mount Nhulun amid the ceremony of singing and dancing and is focused around a sand sculpture.

One of the aboriginal elders, Bakamumu Marika, leader of the Rirrat

The Prince of Wales arrives for a traditional Welcome to Country Ceremony on April 9, 2018 in Gove, Australia
Getty Images
Prince Charles takes part in a didgeridoo demonstration during a visit to the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia (REUTERS)
Reuters

“You witness a very nation who is fighting for our land and that people recognise who are the real landowners.”

The Prince viewed the Roy Marika Lookout and met with students who work in the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area.

The Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation was established to facilitate the protection, conservation and sustainable management of natural and cultural resource values in the Indigenous Protected Area surrounding the Gove Peninsula.

It operates a Ranger program which incorporates science management within traditional resource management.

Many of their Rangers are senior clan leaders and emerging leaders.

The Rirratjingu Clan is one of the Traditional Owner clans in the area, including the township of Nhulunbuy.

Prince Charles is on an official Royal Visit to Australia
Getty Images

They operate the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation and have a strong interest in social programmes, including music and sport to increase social cohesion and reduce family and domestic violence.

Charles was greeted by Rirratjingu traditional owner Wanyubi Marik and also escorted by a clan elder processional featuring traditional dance.

The Prince then visited the centre, which showcases Nhulunbuy’s rich cultural and artistic heritage and the initiatives of the Gumatj Corporation, accompanied by Marrakulu artist Wukun Wanambi.

The tour included an explanation of Yolgnu painting, a demonstration of printing linocuts, a visit to the Saltwater Theatrette and a viewing of the funeral shroud of M Yunupingu.

Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre is the indigenous community controlled art centre of Northeast Arnhem Land.

Buku-Larrnggay, meaning “the feeling on your face as it is struck by the first rays of the sun," and Mulka meaning “a sacred but public ceremony."

It was also revealed today that the prince has privately donated thousands of dollars to buy “several” specialist defibrillators to the Royal Flying Doctors.

“It was the one bit of specialist equipment that they were missing,” a spokesman for the prince said.

Prince Charles receives a traditional welcome in Australia

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