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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.
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Yinjul (Rainforest Parrot)
The rainforest parrot is a very important totem (spirit being) for all Kuku Yalanji clan groups. Cultural knowledge of this spirit being has been passed down from generation to generation. The rainforest parrot cannot be touched or hunted for food. They have to be left alone. They are special birds that have a sacred meaning for us.
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Wakuka (Kookaburra)
Wakuka (Kookaburra) is an important totem or spiritual being for our Kuku Yalanji clans. We call him a messenger bird because he lets us know when a family member has passed away.
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Wambiji (Platypus)
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Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle)
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle) was a source of meat as well as a surface for painting. Traps for catching them were made from lawyer vine and spider’s web was used to make fishing line. To clean the shell for decorating, we would leave it near a green ant nest and then go through a process of soaking and drying it prior to painting. Culturally it is forbidden for pregnant women to eat either freshwater or saltwater turtle.
225182313468
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle)
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle) was a source of meat as well as a surface for painting. Traps for catching them were made from lawyer vine and spider’s web was used to make fishing line. To clean the shell for decorating, we would leave it near a green ant nest and then go through a process of soaking and drying it prior to painting. Culturally it is forbidden for pregnant women to eat either freshwater or saltwater turtle.
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Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle)
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle) was a source of meat as well as a surface for painting. Traps for catching them were made from lawyer vine and spider’s web was used to make fishing line. To clean the shell for decorating, we would leave it near a green ant nest and then go through a process of soaking and drying it prior to painting. Culturally it is forbidden for pregnant women to eat either freshwater or saltwater turtle.
225182313465
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle)
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle) was a source of meat as well as a surface for painting. Traps for catching them were made from lawyer vine and spider’s web was used to make fishing line. To clean the shell for decorating, we would leave it near a green ant nest and then go through a process of soaking and drying it prior to painting. Culturally it is forbidden for pregnant women to eat either freshwater or saltwater turtle.
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Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle)
Ngujay (Freshwater Turtle) was a source of meat as well as a surface for painting. Traps for catching them were made from lawyer vine and spider’s web was used to make fishing line. To clean the shell for decorating, we would leave it near a green ant nest and then go through a process of soaking and drying it prior to painting. Culturally it is forbidden for pregnant women to eat either freshwater or saltwater turtle.