Languages & Culture

Kawarla

How to Make a Coolamon

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.

Gun-ngaypa Rrawa

My Country

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.

Gurindji Bird Poster

The Gurindji bird poster provides information in Gurindji and English about local birds which signal information, birds that can be dangerous, and birds which have favourite foods. It was produced by Felicity Meakins with the Murnkurrumurnkurru ranger group at Kalkaringi as a part of the Central Land Council (CLC) ranger program.