Holding Men

This is an easily readable book that explores how Indigenous men understand their lives, their health and their culture.

Using conversations, stories and art, the author shows how Kimberley desert communities have a cultural value and relationship described as kanyirninpa or holding.

The author uses examples from Australian Rules football, petrol sniffing and imprisonment to reveal the possibilities for lasting improvements to men's health based on kanyirninpa's expression of deep and enduring cultural values and relationships.

While young Indigenous men's lives remains vulnerable in a rapidly changing world, the author believes that an understanding of kanyirninpa (one of the key values that has sustained Aboriginal desert life for centuries) may provide the hope of change and better health for all. It also offers insights for all who wish to 'grow up' their young people.

Production Details

• Paperback
• 210mm x 140mm x 18mm
• 296pp
• Released May 2008
• ISBN 9780855756581

Contents

Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Note regarding quotations and paintings
Note on orthography and word usage
Glossary
Abbreviations
Introduction
Chapter 1: Kanyirninpa and ‘Holding’
Chapter 2: The Shaping of History
Chapter 3: Healers and Health
Chapter 4: The Male Praxis of Kanyirninpa
Chapter 5: Petrol Sniffing- More than a risk
Chapter 6: Football- More than a game
Chapter 7: Prison- More than a holiday
Chapter 8: The Wounded Male Body
Conclusion: Wounded and Resilient
Appendix: Relationship terms and kinship designations
Notes
References
Index