The Antarrengeny song series from the Utopia region of central Australia is one of the most well- known women’s ceremonies. In this book, senior Antarrengeny custodians explain the meanings and significance of 57 of their songs and we see how art, dance and song are intertwined in Aboriginal performance. The songs tell the stories of both everyday and important events: the travels of ancestral women across Antarrengeny country; the plants and animals of the area; and the impact of a land claim hearing.
Bicultural knowledge of the Jingili and Mudburra people of Murranji, Marlinja, Warranganku (Beetaloo) and Kulumindini (Elliott)
This landmark publication has been three years in the making and brings together the work of senior Jingulu and Mudburra elders in collaboration with a biologist and linguists. The focus on Jingulu and Mudburra names and uses for 186 plants and 245 animals represents the largest scope of its kind with the book existing as the Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin No. 49. Also featured is a section on related Jingulu and Mudburra hand signs with QR codes linking to videos of hand signing in action.
An introduction to Larrakia language, the language of the Gulumerrdjin (Larrakia) people of the Darwin and Cox Peninsula regions (NT), through a selection of animal-related words and original illustrations provided by Gulumerrdjin artist Jason Lee. Suitable for early learners and those interested in Larrakia language.
Aboriginal flora and fauna knowledge from the upper Adelaide and upper Finniss Rivers, northern Australia
Another title in the series of NT Government ethnobotanical books, this work has been in the making over decades, bringing together the knowledge of Warray elders Doris Lidawi White, Elsie Ajibak O'Brien, Dolly Mabul Fejo, Roger Wurdirdi Yates and Ada Ajibak Goodman (all now deceased) with linguist Mark Harvey and biologist Glenn Wightman. Warray country includes the upper Adelaide and upper Finniss Rivers and takes in the townships of Adelaide River and Batchelor as well as parts of Litchfield National Park.
The ‘Cross-cultural guide to some animals and plants of South East Arnhem Land’, book was made through a five-year collaboration with over 46 people including south east Arnhem Land knowledge holders, the Yugul Mangi Rangers, Ngukurr Yangbala (Youth) Project, Ngukurr Language Centre and staff from Macquarie University.
The original book Nga-ni Kun-red Ngarduk Man-djewk Na-dudji was published in Kune in 2018. This beautifully illustrated book on seasons was so popular that the Kuninjku people decided to translate from Kune into Kuninjku. Both Kuninjku and Kune are langauges of central Arnhem Land, Australia. The original text is by Jull Yirrindilli and translated into Kuninjku by Charlie Nanguwerr and Margot Gurrawiliwili, with transciption and English translation by Carolyn Coleman.
A celebration of a traditional and contemporary Aboriginal family system
Moort is the latest scholarly publication to emerge from the Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research, Edith Cowan University, Perth. Combining Aboriginal (particularly Nyoongar) and Western perspectives both through its authorship and research, Moort provides an in-depth account of the survival and dynamism of Nyoongar family-related and cultural practices in the face of colonisation and subsequent government policies relating to Indigenous Australians.
Songlines, Stories from Yarrabah and beyond brings together lyrics, related commentary and images reflecting author Barry Cedric's work as a singer/songwriter and educator. Cedric, who hails from Yarrabah, in Goongandji country, Far North Queensland, takes us on a journey through songs from the 1980s to the present day. It's a journey rich with poetry, politics and poignant messages about life as an Indigenous person in Queensland and more broadly in Australia.
Dhawun Ngamingami-lda-nha (Looking After Country) is a children's book in Gamilaraay and English which addresses the environmental impact of feral animals in Australia. The book is the work of first-time published author Merinda Walters, a Gamilaraay artist and educator who developed the concept as part of her environmental science degree. Darby is Merinda's young Gamilaraay guide who informs the reader about the threat of cane toads, feral pigs, feral cats, yellow crazy ants and many other dhii gagil (bad animals), and what to do if you come across them.
Also known as the Gälpu Word Book, this Shepherdson College, Literature Production Centre publication represents almost three decades in the making, instigated largely through the pioneering work of the book's primary author, the late Ganyinurru Gurruwiwi (1952-2002). Since her passing the book's progress was overseen by members of Ganyinurru's family working alongside staff from Shepherdson College (Galiwin'ku / Elcho Island) and linguist Dr Melanie Wilkinson.
Bornorron Warrag is a Wardaman story as told by Sally Wiynmarr of how the catfish (warrag) got the mark on its head in an encounter with the brolga (bornorron). It is a story relating to a particular area of Wardaman country on the Flora River which is the country of Sally's father, the late Joe Jomornji. The Flora River (about 120km southwest of Katherine) is famous for its emerald-coloured waters which are fed by many springs which come up through limestone rock which is what gives the river its rich colour.
Nilaburnda Nabungkawa is an adaptation in the Anindilyakwa langugage from Groote Eylandt of the well-known classic fairytale 'The Frog Prince' first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Anindilyakwa speaker/interpreter Sylvia Wurramarrba Tkac (co-author/illustrator) has joined forces with Binh Van Phan (co-author) and Katarznyna Kolodynska (illustrator) to produce a charming and highly polished bilingual version of this tale, retold in a tropical Groote Eylandt setting and with Anindilyakwa characters.
All my Country is the first substantive book on the little-known Batchelor Institute (BIITE) Art Collection, a unique cultural and artistic resource which has developed over the decades-long life of the Institute. The BIITE Art Collection comprises around 1000 artworks primarily by Indigenous artists from the Top End but also including the work of Indigenous Australian artists more broadly, some non-Indigenous artists with BIITE affiliations, and from Papua New Guinea.
