I acknowledge the diverse Indigenous groups who have traditional connections to Arnhem Land,
including the Bininj Kunwok, Kunwinjku, Marrangu & Yolnu Peoples.
Arnhem Land is Indigenous Country, owned & inhabited by various Aboriginal communities.
Arnhem Land is considered one of the MOST culturally intact regions of Australia.
Map shows approximate location of Indigenous language groups.
Awunbarna
I had the prividge of working as a Tour Guide in the Awunbarna region of Western Arnhem Land in 2021 & 2022.
Awunbarna is a large, mountainous sandstone formation, surrounded by coastal plains in the 'Top End' of the Northern Territory. This region of Arnhem Land is adjacent to the World Heritage Kakadu National Park and 40km | 25 miles north of the closest township, Gunbalanya. Access via 4WD on a dirt-track and tough terrain, or by helicopter or regional private plane from Darwin.
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Awunbarna and the surrounding Country is private (Aboriginal owned) and expands over 700 square kilometres of pristine & prehistoric wild landscapes. From rock escarpment country to paperbark swamp, open floodplain, savannah woodland and monsoonal rainforest; this place is teeming with wildlife! Freshwater crocodiles, saltwater crocodiles, barramundi, tens of thousands of birds during migration, wild buffalo, wild pig, native wallabies, snakes, lizards, spiders, and dragonflies - only to name a few! This place is the true definition of the 'Aussie Outback'!
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Awunbarna contains several sacred sites of enormous importance to the Indigenous history of Australia and the world. With over 55,000 years of human occupation, the Aboriginals of this area are one of the oldest continuous cultures on the planet. Here, evidence of their occupation is wide-spread. Ancient and recent burial sites and caves of midden include ancient sea shells, grinding stones, boomerangs, spears, personal items and more recent materials such as hessian, denim, rifles, Reckitt's Blue, buttons, glass and cutlery. Situated on private Aboriginal Land, these impressive artefacts lay to rest in the last place they were utilised; where they belong. On Country.
The Traditional Custodians painted their presence using red & yellow ochre, white clay and charcoal in the ancient form of rock art. Awunbarna is home to the best quality and quantity of Indigenous rock art in Australia (and arguably, the world)! Fellow guides and I were lucky to learn about the rock art and flora and fauna through academic research alongside Australia's top archeologists, anthropologists, botanists, biologists, ecologists and geologists. Scientific research combined with Traditional knowledge passed down from the Aboriginal Elder of Awunbarna and previous Tour Guides of the area was a profound learning experience, one in which I'll treasure forever.
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Charlie Mungalda
There is only one Aboriginal person alive with Traditional ties and direct connection to Awunbarna. Charlie Mungalda. Awunbarna is Charlie's Father's Country. Charlie was born here in a rock cave. When he was a young boy, he left Awunbarna to live on his Mother's Country, further north on Croker Island (see map above). Charlie returned to Awunbarna in his early adulthood and discovered the stories of his ancestors. Today, he shares his Culture with Tour Guides and paying visitors. ​​
I feel incredibly grateful to have spent time with Charlie on his Country. Sometimes he would come on my tours, especially if it involved a boat trip on the Ooli-Nooli (billabong)! He would sit underneath his tree (pictured) and connect to his Country.
Being afforded the opportunity to escort Charlie on his own Country and spend time in his company and knowledge left a lasting impression on my Arnhem Land experience and has since become a genuine significant life highlight.
Amurdak
Traditional Owner and Custodian of Awunbarna: Charlie Mungulda.
As Charlie is the only surviving person with Traditional ties to Awunbarna, he is also the only person left that speaks his criticall endangered language: Amurdak. To show my respect and pass on these phrases, I refer to many Amurdak words that I learnt during my time on Country. To learn more Amurdak phrases and translations, please click here.
Rock Art
The rock art at Awunbarna is an archeological treasure and living spiritual tradition. Rock art at Awunbarna dates back to 50,000 years old, making it one of the oldest continuous cultural traditions in the world! The art spans across numerous periods of time, from ancient depictions of megafauna (animal specied that roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene epoch) to more recent representations of European contact.
X-Ray Style
This style involved depicting the internal organs and skeletal structures of animals, like kangaroos, fish and turtles.
X-ray style rock art is estimated to be 2000 - 4000 years old!
Mimi Spirits
Elongated, supernatural beings, believed to have taught Aboriginal People(s) in this area about painting and hunting.
Mimi spirit rock art depictions back date to 15,000 years!
Contact Art
Paintings of Europeans, their ships, guns and possessions - reflecting the arrival of outsiders and changes to the Traditional way of Aboriginal life. Art of invasion...
Painted Hands & Stencils
Symbolic of Aboriginal connection to Country. Hand stencils and painted hands serve as a link to ancestors, demonstrating continuity across hundreds of generations.
