Group healing through sharing poetry, songs, and stories: learning through participant observation in rural Victoria

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper, representing part of a recent anthropology project about non-medical therapies used by low-income rural residents, describes poetry and song-writing used as a therapeutic medium by members of a creative sharing circle, in the township of Sephirah, in Victoria, Australia. ‘Sephirah’, a pseudonym of Hebrew origin, holds significant meaning and symbolism relevant to participants’ beliefs. Rural health consumers, with limited healthcare access, frequently resort to complementary and alternative medicine, espousing holistic, nature-focused spiritual values. Poetry group members contrived to use literary-focused performances in lieu of a health support group, and experienced healing, both inherent in and as a direct effect of sharing and performing songs and poetry. Data collection was enriched through the author’s participant observation in the group, requiring emotional investment and critical awareness. Foremost themes, highlighted in extracts from participants’ original works, were: (i) mothering, (ii) desire to love and be loved, and (iii) dealing with grief and loss.