Be the distinguished guardian of an endangered Gaelic word!
The Ogham-chraobh is the earliest form of Gaelic writing
where each letter of the alphabet is represented by a native
tree. For Cùra, endangered Gaelic words are burned into
these trees in both the ancient Ogham script and modern
Gaelic. These are activated through a mystical ceremony, to
transform the word into a cutting that will root new shoots
of Gaelic in the hope these proliferate throughout the
world.
Each comes with a certificate of Guardianship, whereby the
purchaser undertakes to keep the word safe from extinction.
The notion of purchased guardianship opens a relationship
between the indigenous and the visitor. Tourism as an
economic necessity to sustain the population of the
Gàidhealtacht brings English monolingualism and weakens the
place of Gaelic as the language of the community.
Guardianship requires care and respect for the indigenous
and reveals the visitor as active in stemming/or speeding
the process of decay of indigenous culture and practices.
Laura Cameron Eaton-Lewis is a cultural leader, arts
director, artist and educator. She performs as Laura
Cameron-Lewis.
Laura is currently writing scripts for film and television,
and recording music as The Keening | Caoineadh. As Ootland
productions, she is working on her new musical, funded by
the Wellcome Trust, which is based on research into
compulsive hoarding. How the Light Gets In was due for
showcase presentation in April 2020 but has been postponed
pending COVID and in the meantime a recorded version is
being developed.
