SharingStories Foundation is proud to release ‘Mukarr Djambatj: The Giant Green Sea Turtle Hunters’, a new interactive multi-touch book created in collaboration with the Liya-Dhālinymirr Djambarrpuyŋu clan from Badaypaday, towards the North of the Mitchell Ranges in North-East Arnhem Land.
This digital book shares a songline that follows the journey of the Mukarr, the Creator Ancestors, who hunted and feasted on Dhalwadpu, Green Sea Turtles. The project was led by Peter Murrkiḻtja Guyula, Davis Muwarra Marrawuŋgu and Yiŋiya Guyula.
“Mukarr Djambatj songline is our Rom (Law), that occurs on Country, showing Ḻiya-Dhälinymirr connections to Country and kin, our way of life and Culture that was created for us by our Ancestors, the Mukarr. Through the creation of a rawu rope, the ancestors created this law and custom which stretches out from Baḏaypaḏay along the rulyapa tidal waters, connecting us to other clans.
The words in the songline are a map that connect us to everyone in our clan nation; the land, the water, the turtle, the wind and the tides. All the elements are awakened by these songs. When we sing , we feel like ew are sitting, facing a mirror. We are seeing all those things and places inside ourselves. The Mukarr Djambatj songlines are used during funeral ceremonies, where all clans related to the Ḻiya-Dhälinymirr clan nation have responsibility to work together to sing the spirit of the deceased to their final resting place. In funeral ceremonies, the strong vision in our head connects the spirit to places as well.”
Learn more and read the multi-touch book here!