Clever Man

The Life of Paddy Compass Namadbara

By: Big Bill Neidjie (As told by), Bluey Ilkgirr (As told by), Jacob Nayinggul (As told by), Jim Wauchope (As told by), Johnny Williams Snr. (As told by)

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Paperback | 1 November 2020

At a Glance

Paperback
128 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.9 x 18.5 x 1.7

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RRP $39.95

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Clever Man: The Life of Paddy Compass Namadbara offers a unique perspective on the life and making of this Aboriginal Western Arnhem clever man or marrkidjbu.

Born at the end of the 19th Century when the Western world had scarcely touched Arnhem Land, Paddy Compass Namadbara acted as a healer for his countrymen and became a powerful and revered leader. Using his clever abilities and wisdom to nurture his community, he enabled the community to deal with the cultural and social changes of the encroaching Western world. He achieved the reputation of being one of the most powerful and clever of traditional marrkidjbu described as 'a proper number one champion!'

Based on stories told by the people he helped, some profoundly and in extraordinary ways. This unique biography looks at his life through the eyes of his Western Arnhem countrymen who witnessed his extraordinary abilities. Ian White, researcher and compiler for Clever Man: The Life of Paddy Compass Namadbara, encourages readers to give greater consideration to the reality of the extraordinary abilities of clever people such as Paddy Compass.

Industry Reviews

"Old Paddy's visions of the future foretold major events that were astonishing in the 1950s: Aborigines would get paid for their work, would own land and cars, and that money issues would bring division. All of his predictions came true. A rare insight into the world of the Dreaming, this book is unique and essential reading." --Susan Greenwood, University of Sussex

"This powerful and sensitive portrait of Paddy Compass Namadbara, a West Arnhem Land marrkidjbu, or clever man, deserves a place among the classic works on shamanism." --Paul Nadasdy Professor of Anthropology and American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Cornell University

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