An AAA (Afgani-Aboriginal Australian)
Trip Start
Sep 08, 2007
1
17
23
Trip End
Dec 30, 2008
Alice Springs,
Australia
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Age: 23
Marital status: Single
Job: Broadcaster / Program & Music Director
Religion: Not big on religion, mother Lutheran, father Muslim.
Did you know there were camels in Australia? I didn't. They live in a free-ranging herds in the semi-arid desert areas and make no trouble. They are not originally from here. In 1860, 24 camels were shipped to Australia from Karachi. The camel handlers came along too. Between 1860 and 1907, 12,000 camels were imported and were used as (drought and riding) -not sure I get it) animals by people pioneering the dry interior of the continent. Central Australia used camels in the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line and for supply of goods to Alice Springs
Emrhan Sultan
. In mid 1920, the train line to Alice Springs was complete, and motor vehicles were operating in Central Australia. It was uneconomical to ship the camels back, so they were released into the wild. Most of the camel handlers, many from Afghani origin, also stayed behind. Many have already started families within the local aboriginal communities. There are still people of such unique background living in Australia. I get really lucky to meet one of the descendants of those early explorers in Alice Springs. Emrhan's mum is Aboriginal from the West of Alice Springs, his father is half Aboriginal and Afghan from Port Augusta, South Australia.
Emhran is a broadcaster at CAAMA Radio station in Alice Springs. His passion is country music. Despite the "I hate everything" sign on his T-shirt, he is all smiles. Do you really hate everything? - I tease. Ah, no, this is the title of my favorite country song. I bought the T-shirt at a concert. It is easy to talk to Emrhan. He is great example of an easy going, friendly Australian. He likes to cook and to watch TV. Some times he goes to the pub or to a house party. He doesn't dance (such a boy), but likes listening to music, country music to be precise.
What about religion, I ask curious. Emrhan has a very original answer. He is no big on religion. His mom is Lutheran. When he was young, he used to go to Sunday school in the Lutheran mission called Hermannsburg or Ntaria in his local language. Nowadays, he goes to the Alice Springs mosque once in a while. It is a social thing. Clearly, the guy doesn't have hang ups on religion.
I want to hear some aboriginal-afghani "secrets". With such a different background, Emrhan ought to know things that no common Australian would. I poke around - how about the bush food? Where can I try some? Well, you can't find an Aboriginal restaurant, Emrhan laughs. You'd have to go out in the bush and find your food yourself. For example - have you heard of the Witchetty Grubs? Yha, I get excited, that's the larva that lives in the tree roots. You dig it out and eat it. I hear, Emrhan says, it would taste better if you bake it first [I feel like a silly tourist]. The one thing you can eat without cooking is the honey-ant. The honey ants have a "balloon" full of honey on their backs. You pick up the ant and suck up the honey, then let the ant go collect some more. Emrhan, you can't survive on ants and larva, can you? Of course not, he says, the main food of the Outback is the kangaroos [I feel even sillier]. Have you tried kangaroo steak yet? Yes, I say, and I still feel guilty about it, because kangaroos are so cute. It tasted really good though - a rich, gamy taste, very juicy. Emrans favorite bush food is langkwe (bush banana). He tells me about few other local "specialties", but admits he hasn't tried any of them.
Okay, I give up, it doesn't matter what Emrhan's heritage is - he is a town boy. He likes his small and laid back town, the scenery around Alice Springs and the open spaces. He likes being close to his family and friends. At the end of the day, people stay here, because they feel connected to the land, and so does Emrhan.
***
WORLD CHANGE STARTS WITH EDUCATED CHILDREN! Give a girl the life long gift of education! Support my appeal 100 GIRLS BACK TO SCHOOL! Donate at: www.justgiving.com/100GirlsBackToSchool
Hugs & Kisses, Vik
