Yumbulyumbulmantha ki-Awarawu All Kinds of Things from Country: Yanyuwa Ethnobiological Classification John Bradley, Miles Holmes, Dinah Norman Marmgawi, Annie Isaac Karrakayn, Jemima Miller Wuwarlu and Ida Ninganga Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Research Report Series Volume 6,2006 iS The University Of Queensland AUSTRALIA THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND LIBRAR'" Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Research Report Series Volume 6,2006 Volume Editor Jackie Huggins Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Sean Ulm University of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit University of Queensland Sam Watson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Editorial Advisory Committee University of Queensland Ian Lilley Elizabeth Mackinlay f-,..... ‘ ’ ’ 1 ^ — u ctMies Unit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit b b &H University of Queensland Reg»Don Norm Sheehan r iginal and Torres St ra lies Unit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit I s .1 a n d e r S t u d i e s U n i t University of Queensland r e s e a . r c hi r e p o r t series L O R D E R R E C O R D 3 £006 original and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit R e c e i V e d on » £ 8 - 0 4 - 0 6 iversity of Queensland, Brisbane ISSN 1322-7157 ISBN 1-86499-826-1 The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Research Report Series is an occasional refereed research report series published by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at the University of Queensland. The main purpose of the Research Report Series is to disseminate the results of substantive research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies conducted at the University of Queensland, although manuscripts by other researchers dealing with contemporary issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies may be considered by the Editors. The views expressed in the Research Report Series are those of the author/s, and are not necessarily those of the Editors or the University of Queensland unless otherwise noted. All correspondence and submissions should be addressed to The Editors, Research Report Series, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia. Information about the Research Report Series, including a list of published and forthcoming titles and ordering information, is available online at: www.atsis.ua.edu.au Citation details: Bradley, J., M. Holmes, D. Norman, A. Isaac, J. Miller and I. Ninganga 2006 Yumbulyumbulmantha ki-Awarawu: All Kinds o f Things from Country: Yanyuwa Ethnobiological Classification. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Research Report Series 6. Brisbane: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland. Printed by The University of Queensland Printery, Brisbane b<; y\ Table of Contents List of Figures.........................................................................................................................................v List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................vi About the Authors.................................................................................................................................vii Chapter 1: Introduction: All Kinds of Things from Country ................................................................ 1 Chapter 2: Learning About the Living Things........................................................................................ 5 Chapter 3: Yanyuwa Biological Classification.......................................................................................9 Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 9 Kinship, Clans and Classification......................................................................................................9 Dreamings, Spirit Ancestors and the Birth of Classification.................................................... 10 Habitat, Country and Classification.......................................................................................... 13 Land Units as a Way of Viewing the Environment .................................................................. 16 Land Units and Yanyuwangala - The Essence of Being Yanyuwa.......................................... 23 Linguistics and Classification ........................................................................................................ 24 Context: The Variable Nature of Yanyuwa Classification ............................................................ 27 Major Category Divisions.........................................................................................................28 Chapter 4: Walya - Dugong and Sea Turtles...................................................................................... 31 Introduction....................................................................................................................................31 Sea Creatures of Authority............................................................................................................. 31 Classifying Dugong and Sea Turtle ............................................................................................... 32 Dugong Classification....................................................................................................................33 Male Dugong Nouns................................................................................................................. 35 Female Dugong Nouns ............................................................................................................. 37 Other Terms Relating Predominantly to the Actions of Dugong.............................................. 38 Summary of Dugong Classification.......................................................................................... 38 Sea Turtle Classification................................................................................................................ 39 Summary of Sea Turtle Classification...................................................................................... 44 Chapter 5: Miriyi - Dolphins and Yulangu - Whales ......................................................................... 45 Chapter 6: Adumu - Sharks, Rays and Sawfish....................................................................................47 Chapter 7: Arlku - Fish (other than Sharks, Rays and Sawfish)......................................................... 49 Chapter 8: Nyinga/Jikuyu - Crabs ...................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 9: Na-yirrnyi - Shellfish, Shells and Shell-Like Creatures .....................................................57 Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 57 Maranjawu - For Dugong and Sea Turtle Hunters........................................................................ 58 Walyawu - For Dugong and Sea Turtle......................................................................................... 59 Lhukandu - For the Mangroves .....................................................................................................60 Nuwarnu-wuthandu - For the Intertidal Zone ............................................................................... 60 Mayangku - For the Mainland.......................................................................................................61 Rdaruwu - For the Circumcision Initiates .....................................................................................61 Yumbulyumbulmantha ki-Anthowu - All Kinds of Things Belonging to the Sea.......................... 61 iii Chapter 10: Lhuwa - Reptiles and Amphibians 65 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................65 Mardumbarra - Salt and Freshwater Crocodiles............................................................................65 A-wayurr - Blue Tongue Lizards ...................................................................................................67 Wardaba - Goannas..........................................................................................................................67 Wunbi - Frill Necked Lizard.............................................................................................................67 A-karlki/karlki - Small Lizards (such as Geckos and Skinks)........................................................ 68 Murndangu - Freshwater Turtles......................................................................................................68 A-wambul - Frogs ............................................................................................................................69 Lhuwa - Snakes (including Sea Snakes and Legless Lizards)........................................................ 69 Chapter 11: Wunala - Terrestrial Mammals/Game Animals...............................................................73 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................73