June 2023

Ganalbingu – Banda (Long Necked Turtle)

The long necked turtle is a dreaming totem for the freshwater people, the Ganalbingu, whose country includes the World Heritage listed, Arafura Wetlands in Central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

The Yolngu (people) of Arnhem Land originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘Spiritual Reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangga (Creator Beings), long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it.

These creator spirits took many forms. When they gave the land to each group they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language. The Creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Some of their major Creative Beings include Banda (freshwater long neck turtle) and Yalman (water lilies).

Garrawura Minyt’ji

Each Yolngu clan was created by their ancestors as they moved along the country whilst they were singing, dancing and talking. Each time they arrived at a new land, they created distinct rom (culture, law). A part of this rom is miny’tji (art, totemic designs, colours). Each clan has a distinct miny’tji, and Yolngu can tell where someone is from by their miny’tji. The ancestors passed down sacred designs, some of which are secret or have secret meanings. These designs were traditionally painted on people’s bodies, or carved into sacred objects. More recently, they have been painted on canvases and barks. This painting is of Dhunbaḻmirriwuy’s miny’tji. It uses the colours which were passed down to her from her ancestors. The circles represent waterholes, while the lines represent the land. This design is a sort of coat of arms for the Garrawura clan.

Raypiny Dhawu (Fresh Water Story)

All Aboriginal people originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘spiritual reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (creative spirits) that were created long ago close to the beginning of time. These creator beings moved across the countryside, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These creative spirits took many forms and when they gave the land to each group, they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language.

The creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Many Ganalbingu artists paint totemic species significant to their clan. These can include baru (crocodile), banda (long necked turtle), buliya (catfish), yalman (waterlilies), gumang (magpie geese), dakawa (fresh water yabby), ratjuk (barramundi), warrnyu (flying fox) and more.