Credit: Protect Gloucester, CC BY 2.0 DEED

Cheeky and Disorganized: Nannagogy and the Knitting Nannas

Introduction

This article summarises the academic paper ‘Nannagogy: Social movement learning for older women’s activism in the gas fields of Australia’ by Larraine Larri and Hilary Whitehouse. This article was published in the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, Volume 59, Number 1, April 2019.

Who are the Knitting Nannas?

The Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed (KNAGs – hereafter referred to as Nannas) formed in 2012 in Lismore, NSW, when a group of women joined Lock the Gate to help stop coal seam gas mining in the area.

As Larraine Larri and Hilary Whitehouse explain, they soon formed a new group when they discovered that male Lock the Gate activists appeared to expect them to do the minutes and make cups of tea.

This new group of Nannas created their own style of guerilla surveillance activism, gathering small groups of women on the roadsides to knit and watch and record truck movements of Metgasgo mining company. New Nanna groups, known as ‘loops’, soon grew to over thirty loops across the country. Today there are around 40 loops across Australia, the USA and UK.

This method of bringing women together, sharing their skills and knowledge, supporting each other and challenging politicians and corporations associated with the fracking industry is what Larri and Whitehouse called ‘Nannagogy’.

What are the Characteristics of Nannagogy?

A diagram shaped liked a flower. In the middle the title is 'six characteristics of nannagogy philosophy'. Each petal has a different word and colour which are 1.Disorganized, 2. Cheeky, 3. Supportive, 4. Learning centred, 5. Craftivism-led, 6. Inclusive

Disorganised

Each Knitting Nannas loop is connected informal through a philosophy of ‘disorganisation’. The Nannas staunchly maintain their freedom by resisting formal organisational structures either for the overall organisation or for any of the independent loops. They also do not have any affiliation with political parties. In doing so, they have made a conscious choice to operate outside the conventional boundaries of formal organisational structures.

Their status as a disorganisation is a very important part of their philosophy. Larri and Whitehouse credit this identity for giving them “the freedom to be cheeky”, releasing them from any formal rules or expectations that might limit their creativity or the playful aspects of their activism.

This freedom allows them to engage in activities and communications that traditional organisations might consider risky or unprofessional.

This disorganisation is also linked to fierce independence. From their early beginnings the Nannas comprehensively rejected sexist and ageist categorisations of women as minute-takers and tea-makers. Instead, the Nannas are answerable only to themselves.

Disorganisation gives the Nannas autonomy, allowing them to adapt to changing circumstances, make decisions quickly, and take actions supported by consensus and group values rather than just following directives from the top-down.

Cheeky

A second key aspect of Nannagogy philosophy is its use of humour to attract new supporters, build interest, and make activism more fun. Nannagogy leverages the power of cheekiness and humour to engage in serious activism.

This is shown clearly in the ‘Nannfesto’, which states:

The Knitting Nannas are not affiliated with any political party – we annoy all politicians equally! – Nannafesto

Larri and Whitehouse noted how the Nannas posted warnings to frackers on Facebook about their ‘pointy sticks and sparkling eyes’. In response to Facebook’s request for an ABN they asked whether this acronym meant ‘”A bothersome Nanna” or “Authoritarian bastards naked.” They also use their own language of Nanna-ism, riffing on knitting terms and stereotypes about female ageing such as:

  • Nannalution
    A blend of “Nanna” and “revolution,” suggesting their commitment to creating significant change through their unique form of activism.
  • Nannual Conference
    A humorous take on “annual conference,” this term refers to their yearly gathering where members meet, discuss, and plan future activities.
  • KNAG (Knitting Nannas Against Gas)
    An acronym that appropriate and redefines the previously derogatory term ‘Nag’ into a label of power.
  • Chooks Against Gas
    A whimsical name for crafted soft toy chickens distributed to children, symbolising opposition to gas extraction and fracking.
  • NannaCare
    The term used for when Knitting Nannas provide support for protectors and those putting themselves in an arrestable situation at actions.

This creative use of language not only makes their activism more accessible and relatable but also subverts traditional expectations of older women by positioning them as active, engaged, and capable of initiating change.

Two women holding a yellow triangle that reads 'knitting nannas against gas'. They are both smiling. One is holding two knitted chickens. They are standing outside a politicians office.

Credit: Jeremy Buckingham, CC BY 2.0 DEED

Supportive

Nannagogy is founded on principles of nonviolence and is inherently collective. Nannas emphasise the strength and support that people can find through taking part in community action. They value the participation of each member, recognising and utilising individual strengths to support the group’s goals.

This collective ethos extends beyond activism to provide emotional, social, and sometimes physical support to members. In doing so, the Nannas build feelings of camaraderie and enact practices of mutual care.

The concept of Nanna Hugs is a good example of this. Nanna Hugs involves offering comforting cups of tea, and hugs at activities. These help create a supportive environment at knit-ins and other gatherings, and highlight the Nannas’ commitment to providing emotional and social support. This nurturing aspect of their philosophy fosters a sense of belonging and care within the group, which is crucial for sustaining activism over the long term.

Larri and Whitehouse highlight many examples that demonstrate how support for each underpins the philosophy of nannagogy:

  • Gathering annually at the Nannual Conference
  • Sharing Nanna Hugs
  • Making cups of tea in the Nanna-tent
  • Sharing Nanna-Vision Videos, Nanna News, a weekly e-news the Fossil Fool Bulletin
  • Sharing crochet and knitting patterns

Learning-centred

Larri and Whitehouse argue that Nannagogy incorporates elements of social movement learning theory, drawing inspiration from Paulo Freire’s concept of ‘conscientisation’. They highlight how Nannagogy is rooted in feminist collective learning strategies, including consciousness raising, and providing informal, community-based learning for social, environmental, and political change.

Their study of the Nannas found that women who participated in Nanna loops were enjoying life-long learning across a range of topics, such as acquiring knowledge and skills regarding topics as diverse as:

  • The impact of mining on human health
  • Damages associated with coal seam gas drilling
  • Local geology and water systems
  • The workings of local, state and federal government
  • New social media skills, and
  • How to play the ukelele.

Nannas taking part in protests or knit-ins sit together having productive conversations. They share their knowledge about issues and communities, build each other’s confidence and foster a shared sense of power to effect change. This educational aspect is not just about environmental issues but also includes learning how to support each other and work collectively in a disorganised yet effective manner.

Craftivism-led

A group of women knitting from the Knitting Nannas group sitting in front of a large banner held up by a group of people. The banner reads 'Our Land, Our Water, Our Right To Say No'.

Knitting Nannas Against Gas at Parliament House, Canberra
Credit: Lock the Gate Alliance, CC BY 2.0 DEED

The Nannas are part of a global movement wielding traditional female arts in craft as a protest tool; a practice called ‘craftivism’.

They use craftivism in a range of ways:

  • ‘Knot the Gate’: leaving yellow threaded triangles on fracking well sites
  • Knit-ins outside politicians offices
  • Crafting soft handcuffs to symbolically link Nannas at protests
  • Creating other protest accoutrements, such as banners, scarves, character costumes and finger puppets.

Through this practice, the Nannas not only make protest peacefully productive and engaging, but also give opportunities to older women to participate in eco-activism across the country. Nannas can use protest as a method for creative expression and as well as a way to support their cause and each other.

Craftivism as a strategy also helps to challenge ideas and stereotypes about who can be an activist. As Larri and Whitehouse note, their study found that 36 of the 69 Nannas they surveyed had never participated in protests before.

Clearly the group is successful in attracting new people to participate and feel empowered to help add their voice to calls to protect the environment. Nannas show that protesters are not ‘young, unwashed and unemployed or unemployable’ (Larri and Whitehouse, p. 49).

The craftivist approach allows them to engage with the community, raise awareness, and support environmental causes through art and skill. It helps invite participation from those who might not feel comfortable in more confrontational forms of activism.

Inclusive

All these factors together weave a story of inclusivity and Intersectionality across gender, identity and eco-activism perceptions, values and practices. At its heart Nannagogy is about the empowerment of older women, a group sometimes marginalised in environmental activism as well as society at large. By centering their activism around the unique experiences and perspectives of older women, Nannagogy challenges ageist and sexist stereotypes, providing a platform for these women to lead, learn, and effect change.

Knitting Nanna’s approach to activism explicitly includes supporting not just the environment but also the communities and families affected by environmental issues. They advocate for policies and practices that benefit both the planet and its inhabitants, an inclusive philosophy that not only champions the cause of environmental protection but also actively seeks to empower individuals and communities across the spectrum of gender, age, and identity.

The Knitting Nannas aims are to bring attention to the issues surrounding unsustainable resource exploitation; to show the people, the media, the politicians and the exploiters just how far from radical the “extremists” who oppose their practices are; to entertain and inform the public, and bring new supporters to the movement.  We aim to make protests and blockades safe, to support people assert their right to protest assertively and without personal and physical danger.  We want to make sure that our servants, the politicians, represent our democratic wishes and know they are accountable – to us.  We are very happy to remind them of this – often.   We represent many who cannot make it out to protests – the elderly, the ill, the infirm, people with young children and workers. – Nannafesto

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Nannagogy: Social movement learning for older women’s activism in the gas fields of Australia

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