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…
Pinch Pot Ngunyin (Dillybag) Design 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.
Tile Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) is my mother’s mother’s totem from the Kuku Nyungkul clan. It has been handed down from generation to generation.
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 form the dugong fat. Read more…
Tile Ngangkin (Echidna) Long time ago our ancestors used to hunt echidnas for their meat and fat. The fat was used as bush medicine. They rubbed it onto sore muscles to relieve pain. The echidna also appears as part of a rock formation at Manjal Dimbi (Mount Demi). Manjal Dimbi means Read more…
Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) There are many Parrots, known as psittacines, there are roughly 398 species. Parrots are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Parrots are popularly known for being an intelligent species and their diet includes insects, fruits and seeds. Parrots have significantly different colours world wide. Here they Read more…
Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) Kadanji (Black Cockatoo) is my mother’s mother’s totem from the Kuku Nyungkul clan. It has been handed down from generation to generation.