It was the first time traditional owners have served as godparents for a ship.
Saturday's daylong celebration and naming ceremony were planned to honor Wunambal Gaambera country and people and the Kimberley region, and passengers were able to immerse themselves in the Aboriginal culture and history. They took part in a Wunambal Gaambera welcome and smoking ceremony, jimɨrri, that welcomes guests and bids them safe travels.
'Our smoking ceremony is done for visitors so that our old people’s spirits won’t follow them,' Wunambal Gaambera traditional owner Lillian Karadada said.
Afterwards, the junba, a traditional story-telling song and dance, was carried out by Wunambal Gaambera traditional owners painted in ochre. Passengers also visited ancient rock art sites and heard the area's cultural stories. Works by Wunambal Gaambera artists were on display and for sale.
From left, Handré Potgieter, Seabourn’s director of entertainment; passenger Jane Roig; Robin West, Seabourn’s VP and GM of expeditions; Seabourn President Natalya Leahy, passenger Vince Roig, Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corp. Chair Catherine Goonack, Wunambal Gaambera traditional owners Maria Fredericks, Desmond Williams and Rosa Marnga and Seabourn Pursuit Capt. Ertan Vasvi
Gift exchange
Seabourn and Wunambal Gaambera traditional owners exchanged gifts to celebrate their new relationship. In addition, Vince and Jane Roig, who have sailed on every Seabourn inaugural voyage for the current seven-ship fleet, presented the traditional owners with a symbolic gift of art supplies as a token of appreciation for this new partnership.
The day culminated with the naming ceremony in Wunambal Gaambera language and English, when representatives from the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corp. wished Seabourn Pursuit an abundance of blessings and extraordinary expeditions in their country.
Specially crafted bottle
Seabourn used a specially made bottle crafted from sugar and coated with sand from Ngula, Jar Island, to celebrate and show respect to the land. Passengers were in Zodiacs alongside the ship and crew lined Seabourn Pursuit's decks to see the bottle break on the bow.
The naming was 'extra special for us because we asked the Wunambal Gaambera to be the ship’s godparents, which marks the beginning of long sustainable partnership between our brand and this community,' Seabourn President Natalya Leahy said. 'We know our guests visit these wonderful places in the world because they believe in the transformative power of travel, and today we celebrate exactly this.'
Sharing culture, living and working on country
Catherine Goonack, chair, Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corp., called it an honor to be the godparents of Seabourn Pursuit and 'share our culture with their crew and guests ... Living and working on country is important for us. When we are living and speaking language on country, we are healthy. Thank you, Seabourn, for your support. Biyanga graa winya – welcome.'
Also in attendance were Divina D’Anna, member of the legislative assembly and parliamentary secretary to Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, and Di Bain, chair of Tourism Western Australia.
Seabourn's support
As part of its alliance with the Wunambal Gaambera, Seabourn is making a donation to assist the people to develop a self-sustaining industry, art and crafts to sell. In addition, Seabourn is contributing pearl shells, art supplies and polishing materials to foster sustainable, commercial arts and craft initiatives.
The line further intends to work alongside Wunambal Gaambera as they share their Uunguu experience, imparting Wanjina Wunggurr culture through welcome and smoking ceremonies, rock art tours, junba song and dance, and art and stories from the Uunguu Rangers who look after the country.
Ngula Jar Island will be featured on all Seabourn itineraries in the Kimberley, ensuring consistent visitation to Wunambal Gaambera country.
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