Holding Without Holding

Research Focus

We explore the Anangu philosophy of Kanyini, which defines knowledge as a custodial responsibility rather than a piece of property to be owned. Drawing on the teachings of Yankunytjatjara Elder Bob Randall, we argue that true understanding is inseparable from unconditional love, kinship, and care for the land. Unlike Western institutions that prioritize the accumulation and transfer of information, this Indigenous framework emphasizes succession and readiness, where knowledge may be lawfully withheld if the conditions for its safe carriage are not met. We suggest that modern crises of fragmentation stem from treating information as a disposable commodity severed from its relational obligations. Our research advocate for a shift toward custody over possession, asserting that knowledge only remains coherent when it is carried with care across generations.