Hello All
Indigenous classification and knowledge of fauna hinges, in my
experience, on what is useful, noticeable and what has stories.
Among the Kuninjku there is a generic name for all ducks or all snakes or
fish. But there is also one for little brownish wading-birds -
Kolarawikwik, and all smallish grey and white songbirds - Marowk, and all
long-beaked honeyeaters etc etc. But an animal that is an important food
item may have names for each sex and for young and adult, and even a name
describing the animal's condition, whether fat or thin.
Animals are also given different names depending on whether they are
reserved for 'ceremonial people'. For instance two goannas that look
almost identical to the lay person, 'Varanus panoptes; and 'V. gouldii'
are quite different as far as Binij people are concerned. Yet one can be
eaten only by initiated or older people, the other by anyone.
Animals (and plants) are also classified by moiety. So White-bellied
Sea-eagle is Yirridja, Pied Heron and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo are Duwa.
And they mean different things to different Binij depending on whether
they are related to such animals (dreaming). A dreaming animal is
treated as a relative. By the same token a puppy can be adopted as a
relative; my grandson's puppy is his daughter, and therefore I call this
cute, fluffy little animal, my mother, relationships being cyclical!
Yet this knowledge is disappearing fast for many Aboriginal people don't
see it as being relevant in today's world. Luckily among the Binij women
have higher status than they do in many other parts of Australia and so
many daughters are happy to remain part of the culture. Contrast this
with places like Groote Eylandt and NE Arnhemland where violence towards
women is rife. On Groote Eylandt fathers I know are now trying to
prevent their daughters marrying locally. Some elders even believe that
such violence leading as it does to the deaths of so many women, will
mean the end of their culture.
Among the Binij Ngalkobanj (older women), being on the whole more
resilient to problems caused by alcohol etc have status among young
people that many of their menfolk have lost. Yet they don't like to talk
about their knowledge one reason being they think they'll be laughed at.
Another is that they feel ashamed. For instance they know that balanda
(white people) frown upon hunting while to them it's so very important,
not only to supplement diet but to keep their links with the country.
Birdwatchers and others can support the retention of Aboriginal knowledge
in a number of ways - by using Aboriginal names for animals (may I
propose Djagana for Black-necked Stork?). I have other suggestions eg
treating mothers-in-law and older women with respect, but perhaps this is
not the right forum!
Regards
Denise
Denise Goodfellow (Lawungkurr Maralngurra)
Specialist Guide
Ph/fax 08 89818492
PO Box 39373
WINNELLIE NT 0821, AUSTRALIA
www.earthfoot.org
Parap Bookshop
2ndhand and new books
08 89813922
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