Assembly of River Beings
Our Assembly of River Beings was a creative exploration of how we might speak on behalf and give voice to the wider community of beings that are part of the River Exe.
It made me ‘feel’ the crisis of biodiversity – rather than just an idea – Assembly witness
Hearing the stories of the river beings was unexpectedly moving. There was a sense of being witness, a shift of view point from human to river beings – Assembly witness
There was no rush to fill pauses which I felt was powerful. Many of the harms spoken about moved me – those spaces gave ‘holding time’. Art which is aesthetically strong like this can enhance our sense of agency, especially if paired with other suggestions for collective and civic actions – Assembly Witness
I felt humbled and honoured. I felt like I was thinking like moss and embodying moss. I was proud to take part and speak on behalf of a non-human being – Assembly participant
This brilliant innovation by the River Exe catchment community aimed to increase our accountability to the species impacted by our actions – by embodying them in a ceremonial decision-making process.
At Exeter Quay’s Customs House on 22 September 2024, 16 river beings including Sphagnum Moss, Dipper, European Eel, River Jelly Lichen, Meadowsweet, Pacific Oyster and many more were represented by humans who spoke as these beings of their lived experience of flourishing and harm in the River Exe.
Preparatory workshops with wildlife specialists and artists supported the species’ advocates in their roles. During the Assembly river beings were led by convenors (one representing water, the other the Exe) to take their first steps towards creating a new rights-based River Covenant for the Exe.
The ritual was witnessed by 22 community and legal representatives including Exeter City Councillors and barrister Paul Powesland, and was recorded by clerks and illustrators. Read more in this beautiful account of the event by clerk Thomas Rickard here.
The Assembly sought to remind us of our wider kinship with other beings who also depend on the river so we can learn how to listen to and integrate their perspectives in civic, legal and community life. A partnership between Friends of the River Exe and Tidelines supported by LUSH and FORE volunteers, the event was designed by artist Anne-Marie Culhane and theatre-maker Lucy Neal, with support from Westcountry Rivers Trust, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, Neil Williams of River Rights Network and Devon Wildlife Trust.
With our Assembly and Covenant we are proud to join the fast-developing international rights for nature movement for rivers, lakes, mountains and eco systems which has seen grassroots groups across England registering legal rights for the Deben, Ouse and Frome.