Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation

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Walkarr (Bush Goanna)

Walkar (Bush Goanna) is found in eastern and western Yalanji land both in rainforest country and inland plains. Walkarr was an important food source to our Kuku Yalanji ancestors. Goannas are great tree climbers and sometimes hard to catch.
Walkarr was hunted with spears and brought back to prepare and cook in earth ovens or over a fire. Once it was cooked it was laid on paperbark and a mussel shell was used to scrape the outside of the skin and to cut up the meat to share. The oil from the Walkarr was also used as a liniment and to make cooking oil.

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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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Yiki (Night Owl)

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Kurriyala (generic snake, also rainbow serpent)

Kurriyala is the big name for a number of different snakes that live on Kuku Yalanji country. It is also used to refer to the rainbow serpent, the most culturally significant totem or creator being for the Kuku Yalanji clan groups. In this art work the snake figure represents the rainbow serpent: Kurriyala created our land.  Before he arrived here the land was flat but as he moved about in a snake-like manner the mountains, valleys and rivers were formed. The large rounded rocks in some of our rivers represent his eggs, making bathing in these places forbidden. Kurriyala lives in the rock pools of certain rivers and has the power to heal us.

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Karrkurr (Green Tree Frog)

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Jalbil (Boyd’s Rainforest Dragon)

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Walkarr (Bush Goanna)

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Yawu (Stingray)

In the past stingrays were an important food source for our Kuku Yalanji people. We used to hunt them using a spear and cook them over the hot coals of an open fire. We call stingray ‘Yawu’. When stingrays make a mark in the sand, that is where the crabs hide into. 

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Kudi (Barramundi)

Kudi (Barramundi) is of great cultural importance for our Kuku Yalanji families. It is a major food source for us. We hunt them when they are fat. Kudi (Barramundi) is also one of a group of totem names that our elders give to a newborn child of the younger generation. A child who receives, for example,  Kudi (Barramundi), as a totem name will be protected by the barramundi’s spirit their entire life.

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Kurranji (Cassowary)

Long time ago, the cassowary was a precious food source for our ancestors. They ate the meat and the eggs, used the feathers for ceremonies and weaving, and the skins for blankets.  The Cassowary is a powerful Totem for us because it helps growing many plants that were important for food, medicine and tool making. The Cassowary can walk wide distances and spread the seeds of the fruits he eats everywhere. Plants grow also out of his dung.