This book was created by Laklak Burarrwanga, her sisters and daughter, and three academics from Australian universities. It is not the first work they have collaborated on – at the launch of their first book in 2008, Laklak, her sisters and daughter decided that they would like to keep writing together with Sarah, Sandie and Kate, and this book is the result.
Laklak and her family are Yolngu people from north-eastern Arnhem Land. In this book they express the wish that Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians learn from each other, and grow together. Their own children are learning two ways, Yolngu and ngapaki (non-Indigenous) and they see the value in sharing knowledge between cultures. They run a tourism business called Bawaka Cultural Enterprises, where they bring ngapaki to Bawaka in Arnhem Land and introduce them to Yolngu country and culture. This book is another pathway to that sharing, that exchange of knowledge.
The book is written in the second person, addressed to you, the reader. It is written as if you were there, that you have come to visit them at Bawaka and you are being shown the beach, the water, the plants and animals. Each chapter introduces a concept of Yolngu culture, and these concepts are illustrated with traditional stories and examples from Laklak’s own life. Each chapter adds a new layer of meaning, building on the idea that Yolngu knowledge is vast and multi-layered, and interconnected with everything. The book itself is an example of ‘wetj’ (sharing), a concept that is very important for Yolngu people. Their culture and knowledge are shared with the reader here in such an open-hearted and generous way, that is truly humbling.
The photographs show Laklak and her family, the country, the animals and the plants that are being described in the text. Some Yolngu artworks have also been reproduced, and credited at the end of the book. Also at the end are a map of north-east Arnhem Land; a description of the collaboration and research process; a bibliography of further reading about Yolngu culture; a glossary of Yolngu Matha and an index.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
