This beautifully illustrated book tells two important stories about spirit children and how they are tied to the unique Noongar totemic system. The stories help us to understand how Noongar land, plants and animals are interwoven; caring for each other and looking after Noongar spirituality, the matrilineal totemic system and the responsibilities of Noongar culture.
The fifteen stories in this collection were unearthed from the Battye Library achieves and are a unique compilation of legends from Bibulmun and Wardandi Noongar country documented by Debra Buller-Murphy. Buller-Murphy’s uncle, Alfred John Bussell who had also prepared a Dordenup Wongie manuscript of the dialect, compiled the word lists and examples of sentence in Buller-Murphy’s manuscript.
Gurindji is a traditional language of the Victoria River District in the Northern Territory (Australia). Gurindji people became well known in the 1960-70s due to their influence on Australian politics and the Indigenous land rights movement. They were instrumental in gaining equal wages for Aboriginal cattle station employees and they were also the first Aboriginal group to recover control of their traditional lands.
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.
This book presents stories from the Gun-nartpa people who live in North-Central Arnhem Land. An-nguliny clan leader and celebrated artist England Banggala tells of Ancestral Spirits who created the country around Gochan Jiny-jirra on the Cadell River, and who are celebrated in ceremonies and visual arts. Banggala and other elders also tell stories from the old days, when hunting, bush foods, warfare and sorcery were part of everyday life. They describe the Second World War, the coming of the Welfare Time and the settlement of Maningrida and outstations.
Kawarla or coolamons are an important part of Gurindji culture. They are used to carry young babies, collect bush foods and medicines and they have an important place in many ceremonies. Kawarla: How to Make a Coolamon book and accompanying DVD shows how coolamons are carved and the types of trees used to make them. An innovation of the book is the use of QR codes so the reader can hear the words spoken by Gurindji elders.
Flora and fauna knowledge of the Wadjiginy, Emmiyangal and Mendheyangal people of the north-west Top End, Australia.
The results of a study of Wadjiginy, Emmiyangal and Mendheyangal plants and animals knowledge conducted by biocultural knowledge custodians with scientific support are presented. Batjamalh, Emmi and Mendhe names and uses of plants and animals, scientific names and common English names for 213 plants and 390 animals are included. The book has colour images of the Authors and some of the plants and animals of their country. The identification illustrations of the plants and animals are in black and white.
Angenty is a sacred waterhole in Anmatyerr and Warlpiri country, to the north of Alice Springs in Central Australia. This book is about a family visit to this place. Men, women and children camped in the riverbed and the elders told stories about the ancestral spirits of this country. The book includes the rhythmic structures, words and interpretations for each song, and is enriched with images, sound recordings and films.
The Gurindji people hold a secure place in Australian history. Their 1966 strike for better pay and conditions on the pastoral station that had forced them into indentured labour attracted national interest and became famous as the Wave Hill Walk Off. The strike developed into a claim for ownership of their traditional lands.
The Gurindji fish poster provides cultural information in Gurindji and English about local fish. It was produced by Erika Charola and Felicity Meakins With the Murnkurrumurnkurru Ranger group at Kalkaringi as a part of the Central Land Council (CLC) ranger program.
A beautifully illustrated poem about the homecoming of stolen generation children. Written by Gloria Daylight Corliss with illustrations by Patsy Mudgedell
Songs of Home celebrates the significance and richness of Indigenous song, and reminds us of the fundamental connections between singing and home. The project has brought together expert singers from Australia and China – Anmatyerr women singers from Ti-Tree in Central Australia, and Kam women singers from Liping county in Guizhou province, China. The two groups performed jointly during a week long visit to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, at the University of Sydney in April 2017.
Aboriginal biocultural knowledge from the Moyle river, plains and coast, north Australia
This book is a species rich and a culturally detailed account of the biocultural knowledge of the Marri Amu and Marri Tjevin people. It is a powerful testament to the knowledge of the senior authors, and a wonderful legacy for all future generations.
'Language is the very essence of Aboriginal identity.' These are Ida Bishop's words and they embody the reason why this work is of such great importance.
This work is important because it provides a written, permanent record of a rich indigenous language which would otherwise in time disappear with the passing on of its oral custodians.
It is important also because the author, as a speaker of the language, has produced a written form of Koongurrukuñ with a depth and sensitivity impossible for an outside researcher.
An illustrated history of Nyoongar people and land from the Dreamtime to approximately 7,000 years ago. This work collates Nyoongar stories with geology and climate history.
