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…
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.
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…
Wambiji (Platypus) Platypus are very shy. They like to hide under rocks and can rarely be seen when people are around. When I was 17 years old, I used to go for a swim with my partner, Laurence, in the Mossman River, at a site called Jabuljabul (Girls/Women). Some mornings, Read more…
