Staff

Riawunna, the University’s Aboriginal Centre, celebrated the end of semester by having an “Umu” for staff, students and the community today.

“Usually we have an end of semester barbeque, but this time round we  hosted an event with more of an indigenous flavour”, Dr Kristyn Harman, Associate Lecturer in Riawunna, said.

The inspiration to host an Umu arose when Dr Harman lectured a course on Indigenous Tourism this year. Students learned about Aboriginal involvement in the Australian tourism industry as well as indigenous tourism in other places around the world.

“When we looked at tourism in New Zealand, students were intrigued by the Maori hangi and they were really keen on the idea of having a similar event here at the UTAS campus”, said Dr Harman.

Men from the local Samoan community prepared the Umu, which is a traditional way of cooking in the Pacific Islands.

After digging a pit oven, a ferocious fire was built over specially seasoned rocks. Once the flames were dowsed, the food prepared by the women was lowered into the ground and buried. After it was steamed to perfection, it was lifted out and served.

A total of $329 was raised from the lunch and donated to the Australian Red Cross for the Pacific Tsunami appeal.