June 2024

Birmba (White Cockatoo)

sacred to us. White Cokatoos always remind me of my grandfather, my sister and other family members who have passed on. They are like protective spirits for me and my family. They will give you signs: Good signs and signs of danger. They will let you know when to move on. When I’m out with my grandchildren and there is a white cockatoo, I might say, “that is your grandmother, my sister who is watching over us”.
At other times, the spirits of other family members visit us in form of white cockatoos.Birrmba keeps our living and past family connected to each other and to our country. When I’m alone, I know they are around. I speak to their spirit and they give me strength.

Diwan (Scrub Turkey) with Eggs

Yindili (Kingfisher)

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.

Kudi (Barramundi)

Kudi (Barramundi) is of great cultural importance for our Kuku Yalanji families. It is a major food source for us. We hunt them when they are fat. Kudi (Barramundi) is also one of a group of totem names that our elders give to a newborn child of the younger generation. A child who receives, for example,  Kudi (Barramundi), as a totem name will be protected by the barramundi’s spirit their entire life.

Yiki (Night Owl)

Kadanji (Black Cockatoo)

The black cockatoo is my totem. It has been passed down to me from my grandmother and her sisters, to my mum and her sisters and then it came to me and my sisters.

I use the black cockatoo often in my art not only because it is my Totem but also to thank my grandmother’s sisters (Kae Creek, Leyla Creek and Margaret Rocky). They are artists and I used to watch them when I was a young girl. This inspired me to become an artist myself.

So, the Black Cockatoo shows on a personal level how I honour to these women artists, who came before me and changed my life.

Yindili (Kingfisher)

Yindili (Kingfisher)

Diwan (Scrub Turkey)

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 to hatch. When the goannas 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 when you can feel the warmth with your hands, you know that the eggs are close-by. The eggs are very good for health and make you strong.