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Wandjina, Wullamurrungge & Ungud (cloud and rain spirit, long neck turtle & snake god)

The Wullamurrungge was created by the Wandjina. It’s special because the Wandjina left a gift inside: a skeleton that looks like the Wandjina and the Gyorn Gyorn (Bradshaw people). The law he gave to the people was that before a young boy could eat the turtle, it has to crawl on the back of the person who’s going to eat it. This then satisfies the Wandjina and you’re able to eat it. This Law is passed down from generation to generation. The Ungud (totem) snake is the one that made the rivers and holds Ngarboon (water). If they are disturbed then they will kill whoever disturbs them.

Name: Phillip Gar Gar Gar Duckhole


Language: Ngarinyin


Community: Mowanjum


Biography:

Phillip was born at Glenroy Station and was the eldest of 2 brothers and 1 sister. His father's country was Bremrrda and his mother's country was at Grace's Knob.

When his father passed away, he left Glenroy with his mother and went to Silent Grove, and then Mt Hart. After a few years they walked to Napier Downs, and then when Phillip was school-aged they walked all the way to Kimberley Downs for him to complete primary school. When it was time for him to attend high school he boarded at a high school in Derby and attended the United Aboriginal Mission. He left school in the late 1960s and worked at Kimberley Downs and Napier Downs stations where he learnt riding skills and carried out stock work. 


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