The Butcher Dance

[kowan]

A well-known, elderly anthropologist was sitting in a bar in Darwin one afternoon, casually enjoying a drink and chatting with the locals. One of those locals was this young adult aboriginal man (Bruce) who was about to go on a journey for a week.

Bruce talked to the anthropologist for a bit, and after a while he found out that the anthropologist (Mike) was writing a book about the different cultures in the Asia-Pacific region, that was to be published in London the following week. Finding this out, Bruce had to mention his tribal links.

"Hey, you should come down to our reserve next week. We have this get together with all the rellies, and have a great time and remember our ancestors. We even do this butcher dance at the end of the night. Very special. You should come see. Might wanna add to you book" said Bruce.

Mike sat there stunned. "A 'butcher dance'? That sounds violent".

"Nah, mate" said Bruce "It's a good dance. Practised by all the family. It's very special. Makes for a good night together with rellies. The elder starts the dance and then everyone else joins in. No one else seen us dance like that, except family. But you have to leave by tomorrow, if you want to make it in time. Land very hard to drive through if you don't know the place".

Mike thought it over, and then suggested that he wait for a while to finish what's left of his book before he left for that tribal get together.

"Okay mate", said Bruce. "But if you don't leave soon, you probably won't make it".

Bruce gave Mike a map of direction of where to travel. The journey to the destination didn't look all that far or difficult, so Mike gave Bruce an overconfident, mocking "No worries, mate" before they parted company.

Bruce had left the town the next day for the reservation. But Mike stayed behind to finish up his report, and to get ready for his special camping trip out bush.

Unfortunately, Mike endured a number of problems on the journey to the outback. His utility vehicle somehow stalled while crossing a shallow creek, his back tyre blew out. When the heavens opened up, he was bogged in some precarious place for some time, that he had to spend the night where he was.

The next day, Mike had to make up for time lost, and he hurried into the Aboriginal camp by late evening. As he was getting out, he looked around and found that people were packing up their things and getting ready to go home. Mike spotted Bruce cleaning up.

"Hey what happened to the butcher dance you said your people were going to perform?" called out Mike to Bruce.

"Oh that? We have already finished. Can't do that no more. Campfire is out. Granddad gone to bed. No more this year. Do this again next year" said Bruce.

Mike was absolutely beside himself. He had missed what could have been a great addition to his book, but would have to wait until next year. So, Mike spent the night in his vehicle and headed back to Darwin over the next few days. He flew back to London where he got his book ready.

The following year, Mike came back to Darwin and met up with Bruce again. After Mike asked him if the butcher dance was going to be performed again this year, Bruce told Mike that it was, and if he wanted to go he should leave early.

Mike took his advice seriously this time, and the next day took his vehicle out to the same camp. Experiencing another few mishaps on the way, Mike was able to get to the camping ground well before time, and was able to set up his recording equipment, and talk to the arriving relatives, and locals. They were all happy to have Mike photograph their special dance for the evening, and no one would mind at all, as long as he participated too.

The night began just like any party, with kids playing out near the mangroves, the parents cooking up a BBQ with various meats and aboriginal meals. The relatives brought along their radios and listened to their favourite radio stations. It was a very festive atmosphere for a few hours, until later in the night, an elderly man appeared in his traditional aboriginal garments. The parents turned the music off, people put away their drinks and BBQ meals, and sat silently gathered around the campfire where the elderly man was standing.

“It is time… to do the butcher dance” said the elderly man.

Mike quietly stood up and went over to set up the tripod for his camera, while the elderly man slowly walked around the campfire to make sure everyone was paying attention.

“Remember” said the elderly man “You all have to do this butcher dance, too. Everybody must”.

Mike stood at his camera ready to take the photographs of the performance before he would be summoned to join the rest of the group in this mystifying dance. The campfire flames seemed to grow larger at the significance of this moment. The elderly man pause, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and said:

“Yooooooouuuuu ….butcher right foot in, you butcher right foot out, you butcher right foot in, and you shake it all about…”

[TheForgotten]

oh dear god.....
are ya hands sore now?

[DJ Majah]

oh

my

god

[ProMaX]

hahahahaha LAMER!!! thats funny as

[S Pack]

i read all of this just for that......

[soyaman]

more fun passing it on and getting your mates reactions

[VRFURY]

hmmm, ill say ohh my god to, every 1 else did, i couldnt be bothered reading it lol

[minux]

hahaha, nice one

[Infus10n]

hah oh

[jack.mc]

just for the record, i though it was long and pointless also...

[sixshooter]

It was an epic read but the ending made up for it...