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Special Stories and Songlines of Life, Land and Larder

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Special Stories and Songlines of Life, Land and Larder

Gnamma Holes are natural depressions or rock-holes hollowed out through chemical weathering processes in granite domes or other hard rock surfaces. They allow pools of fresh rainwater to form and have been an important and sometimes sacred feature for Aboriginal people for over 60,000 years.  Gnamma holes created critical water supplies for the Aborigines, influencing their annual migration patterns or songlines across the western half of Australia.

In a similar fashion to gnamma holes, this site serves as a place where special stories of life, land and larder are gathered and pooled. The Gnamma Hole is repository of special places, people, and experiences that refresh, restore and enrich us along our life journeys – whoever and wherever we are in the world.

We hope this site inspires you to go out and explore new places, experiences and to share them with others on social media.


If you have a special story to tell, email us for our consideration (all contributing authors fully acknowledged).

Devil's Dung

Devil's Dung

Once you get over the name 'Devil's Dung'! and you have the opportunity to inhale it's aroma - you will understand why is is so aptly named! This spice is known as ‘Asofoetida’ (pronounced Ass-a-feh-te-dah). It is derived from the resin or sap that oozes from an incision in the rhizome of a giant fennel species (Ferula foetida). Native to the Middle East, Ferula foetida is commercially cultivated in India.

Despite its odour, Asafoetida has some positive characteristics. Some ayurvedic practitioners recommend it to treat digestive disorders,  prescribe it as a cardiac tonic, a natural blood thinning agent, and to improve vision.

Devil's Dung is available in most Indian grocery stores.  The putrid odour that exudes from the spice can only be contained if it is well wrapped after immediately after use and stored in a hermetically sealed container.  Leave it open in your kitchen at your peril!  

Once you are over the acrid and bitter taste, the spice mellows and amplifies the flavour of food.  Commonly referred to by the Indian community as 'Hing'. it is that peculiar flavour you can sometimes taste in authentic Indian cuisine!

Enjoy the video by Uma Swaminathan from herbaltransformations.net, be adventurous and give this unusual spice a try - and give your taste buds a workout! 

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