Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

Shells

Ngawiya (Sea Turtle) In the past, sea turtles were an important food source for Kuku Yalanji people. Only men were allowed to hunt them. The men were also responsible for cooking them in a ground oven and distributing the meat to all the families. We ate turtle meat on special occasions such as the Read more…

Kiju (Mud Crab) Mud crabs are one of our favourite foods. We collect the crabs in the mangroves and share them with our families.

Yinjul (Rainforest Parrot)

Ngawiya (Sea Turtle) In the past, sea turtles were an important food source for Kuku Yalanji people. Only men were allowed to hunt them. The men were also responsible for cooking them in a ground oven and distributing the meat to all the families. We ate turtle meat on special occasions such as the Read more…

Jalbil (Boyd’s Rainforest Dragon) The Rainforest Dragon is a small and gentle lizard that feeds on insects. It is very hard to see in the rainforest because it takes on the colour and patterns of the environment. The male dragons are very colourful. We use the image of the Rainforest Read more…

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 Read more…

(VC) Kakan (Black Palm) Basket Weaving This design shows how the bottom part of a black palm basket is woven. My grandmothers and aunties used to make them. They cut off the young palm leaves in the centre, stripped and scrapped them. Then they would put the strips in freshwater Read more…

Karrkurr (Green Tree Frog)

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.