The Kingfisher, known as Yindili in Kuku Yalanji language, is according to our culture one of the significant messenger birds. The Kingfisher will let us know when to expect a visit from families living in another community, And when we see a Kingfisher close by, we know that something good will soon happen in our personal life.
The cassowary is one of the most important animals for our Kuku Yalanji people. The cassowary is the boss of the rainforest. He is dangerous but he also helps grow many of the plants we used to collect for food, medicine and tool making.
How does he do this? He eats many different fruits, digests them in his stomach, and then drops his dung mixed with the leftover seeds onto the ground. This way seeds grow into new plants wherever he walks. This helped us Kuku Yalanji in the past to survive.
The cassowary is a spirit bird and celebrated to this day in public ceremonies with song and dance. You must be very careful of them because they can attack. Never feed them. You must always be alert when walking in the rainforest.
Birmba (White Cockatoo) is my family totem. It has been passed down from generation to generation.
White Cockatoos always remind me of my grandfather, my sisters and other family who have passed on. Th eyare like protective spirits for me, my family and my loved ones that have passed.They will give you signs: Good signs and signs of danger. They let you know when to move on.
When I’m out with my grandchildren, I say “Look, do you see that white cockatoo there? That’s your grandmother there, overlooking us”. I let them know that it is family watching over them , keeping them connected to each other and our country. When I’m alone, I know they’re around. I speak to their spirit and they give me strength.
The Kingfisher, known as Yindili in Kuku Yalanji language, is according to our culture one of the significant messenger birds. The Kingfisher will let us know when to expect a visit from families living in another community, And when we see a Kingfisher close by, we know that something good will soon happen in our personal life.
Diwan are bush food, an important source of meat. We also eat the eggs, they are a delicacy. The male bird looks after the nest and will not go far, as he has to protect the nest from bush goanna’s. If they come around he will send out an alarm call to other Diwan to alert therm. The nesting time for Diwan is September to December. The bush goanna knows when the eggs will be ready, when the goanna’s start hanging around, this is a good sign that the eggs are ready. We dig for eggs with digging sticks or by hand. The nest is very deep and where the surface is warm it lets you know where the eggs are underneath. The eggs are full of vitamins and protein and are good for health and strength.
Wakal are small freshwater prawns. They can be found in streams and creeks where they hide under rocks. We use them as bait when fishing up-stream and in deep waterholes.