Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

Diwan (Scrub Turkey) The Diwan (Scrub Turkey) walks the rainforest floor looking for food.

Bilngkumu (Saltwater Crocodile) The Salt water crocodile is a very important animal for us. We call it Bilgkamu in our Kuku Yalanji language. Our ancestors – only the men – used to hunt the saltwater crocodile for food. My father told me that the hunters were given specific roles and Read more…

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 Read more…

Status: Stock Sarong – Kurriyala (Carpet Snake) The carpet snake is an important animal for us. We call it Kurriyala in our Kuku Yalanji language. Our ancestors wrapped the meat in native ginger leaves and cooked it on the hot coals of the ground oven. They also used the skin Read more…

Status: Stock Sarong – Kurranji (Cassowary) Kurranji (Cassowary) is an important totem of the Kuku-Yalanji people. We still dance it in public ceremonies. The cassowary is a protected species within the tribal lands of the Kuku-Yalanji people. They live in the rainforest environment of this area, and camouflage themselves in the Read more…

Status: Stock Sarong – Kirbaji (Dugong) In the past, Kirbaji (dugong) was an important food source. It was men’s business to hunt dugongs and it was their responsibility to cook and provide the meat to all the families. The meat of the dugong was cooked in an earth oven. Our ancestors also made oil Read more…

Jarruka (Scrubfowl) The scrubfowl is a culturally significant Totem to our people. We still dance it in public ceremonies. The scrubfowl dance starts off with two male dancers as scrubfowl characters guarding the nest and eggs.  Then the women dancers come in. They are on the lookout for scrubfowl nests Read more…

Kurranji (Cassowary) The cassowary is one of the major totems (Ancestral Spirit Beings) for our Kuku Yalanji people. He is a big, dangerous bird that rules the rainforest. The cassowwary can attack people but at the same time he helps growing many of the plants we used to collect for Read more…

Ngunyin (Dillybag) Dillybags played a vital part in Kuku Yalanji culture. Women used them to carry food when out hunting and gathering or soak bitter yams in creeks before cooking them. Dillybags were also used to hold personal and sacred items.

Birmba (White Cockatoo) 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 Read more…