Yolngu Dreaming

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Arnhemland
September 3rd 2011

Published: October 15th 2011

It always made me cringe that most Australians seemed to have an opinion on aboriginal issues, even though they more than likely had never met an aboriginal person. I have to admit I was totally ignorant about the indigenous culture, being typically schooled on AC (after Cook) Australian history. But since travelling in the Northern Territory, I have tried to listen and expand my limited knowledge... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 75, Displayed: 21

weaving

woven placemat or basket base

handicrafts

stunning baskets & painted totem poles by Nancy. we really appreciated how much work went into them after sitting down and trying to weave a basket ourselves

floor mat

gorgeous mat made by megan

eaten raw or warm

unfortunately the turtle died so the kids performed a burial ceremony to return it to its spirit ancestors

bush entertainment

hilarious hermit crab racing

timmy

life of the party

anda & janelle

the girls

with my 'adopted' mother Geraldine, and 'adopted' sisters Janelle & Pam

aunty megan & grandma nancy

family portrait

our last day at Nyinyikay - we were all sad to go

Yolngu cleansing

Traditional Yolngu welcome to the sacred site at the top of the enscarpment before heading down into Wanuway (Cape Arnhem)

dhuwa & yirritja

all Yolngu people & everything in the Yolngu universe (spirit beings; plant & animal species; clan groups; areas of land & water) belong to one of these 2 moieties - Dhuwa or Yirritja

cultural elder

making sure we don't inadvertently encroach on a sensitive sacred site

beach cleanup

hot and sweaty work, picking up as much rubbish as we could before the tides came in

it's amazing what is thrown overboard

ban the plastic bottle!

appalling

15th October 2011

Geri
non-member comment

That looks amazing
What an incredible visit. The photos are so amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

17th October 2011

Peter Bower
non-member comment

Dreaming in time
Gus, i have had the opportunity to go to Kakadu, and wondered in amazement with a stare across the plains to Arnhem land. Thank you for reinforcing my thoughts on what is a beautiful place made up of beautiful people. We have so much to learn from these gifted people.

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