National Museum of Australia - Djang'kawu sites

Djang'kawu sites

WARNING: Visitors should be aware that this website includes images and names of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

There are over fifty sites associated with the Djang'kawu in the greater Yalangbara region. Some of the most commonly illustrated sites are listed below.

A colour photograph of part of an ocean. In the foreground is the rippled ocean surface. On the horizon can be seen a line of large sand dunes. Above them is the cloudless blue sky.

Balma

Central ridge of sand dunes on the Yalangbara peninsula. It was here that the Djang'kawu first gave birth and performed the Ngarra ceremony.

A colour photograph of a small group of exposed rocks in an ocean. The rocks are in the middle of the photograph, which has been taken from an aeroplane. The ocean around them is a deep blue colour.

Bawuli

Exposed rock visited by the Djang'kawu and where they left their hair string and feathered belts.

A colour photograph of some rock formations at the edge of a beach. The photograph has been taken from an aeroplane. The rock formations are in shallow water near the sand. They run away from the beach at an angle. The water around them is blue. The thin strip of beach has white sand. Behind the beach is sparsely vegetated land that slopes down to the water.

Bilapinya

Exposed granite rocks on the beach, eastern Yalangbara coast. It was here that the clapsticks of the Djang'kawu turned into stone.

A colour photograph of a rocky outcrop on a hill. The outcrop is in the middle of the photograph, surrounded by partially bare earth. The hill is surrounded by a gently undulating plateau, which is covered in clumped vegetation. In the background is an area of blue open water. On the horizon is the edge of another landform.

Bilirri

Prominent rocky hill on the western side of Laluwuy Bay. The Djang'kawu followed the thunder cloud that stood over this hill and created freshwater wells and djota trees here.

A colour photograph of an area of dense vegetation. The vegetation is thick and clumped, possibly suggesting a swamp area. Some of the larger clumps cast shadows on the other vegetation.

Bilpam

Swampy area where the Djang'kawu sighted and named the black flying fox.

A colour photograph of an abandoned building surrounded by grass-covered sand dunes. The building is in the middle of the photograph. It has a flat roof and is partially obscured by some trees. In the left foreground is a vehicle track marked by parallel sandy lines. Scattered trees are on the dunes. The sky in the distance is light blue and has some very pale and wispy clouds in it.

Bipinyina

Former outstation behind the sand dunes, central Yalangbara peninsula. The Djang'kawu saw the Australian bustard and black flying foxes at this site.

A colour photograph of a rocky outcrop on a sandy hill. The outcrop emerges as several sections on one side of the hill. It is a dark brown, and contrasts with the sandy soil nearby. In the background the landscape continues in a series of undulations and patches of sandy soil. In the distance, at the top of the photograph, can be seen a small part of an ocean.

Buwatangarrunganhami

Sand dune and rocky hill, central Yalangbara peninsula area, where the Djang'kawu first sighted and named the Australian bustard.

A colour photograph of an area of vegetation near a beach. The vegetation, mostly trees and bushes, is in the foreground. The beach is behind it, running diagonally across the photograph. The white sand of the beach is clearly visible. Beyond the beach is an open expanse of blue ocean. On the horizon is more land. Tufts of cloud are visible in the distance.

Djirrkawul

Also known as Seven Mile Beach, the Djang'kawu travelled along here and named the area.

A colour photograph of a small rocky island surrounded by water. The photograph has been taken from an aeroplane. The island is mostly rock, except for a small patch of grass. The rock varies in colour from grey to a pale sandstone. The water around it is blue, with a few scattered white caps on the surface.

Ga'kuba

Rocky island visited by the Djang'kawu on their journey to the mainland. It was here they saw and named the rainbow lorikeets and sand goanna, and created a freshwater well.

A colour photograph of a section of coastline. In the foreground is shallow water, under which can be seen streaks of sand. A narrow white sand beach runs diagonally across the middle of the photograph. In the upper part of the image is the coastline, which is made up of rocky outcrops and areas of vegetation.

Garrangarran

Exposed rock reef visited by the Djang'kawu on their journey to the mainland. It was here that they left their feathered baskets.

A colour photograph of a man standing on a beach. He stands to the extreme left of the image, looking out to sea. His footprints are behind him. The beach curves away into the distance. A few trees are partially visible at the right of the photograph. More coastline is just visible on the horizon. The sky above the horizon is blue and cloudless.

Gulurunga

Sandy beach, inland on the central western side of the peninsula. The Djang'kawu created freshwater wells here. The term is also used to describe the entire western side of the peninsula, in contrast to the eastern, sunrise side.

A colour photograph of a single rock formation in shallow water just off a beach. The formation is rounded and smooth on top. In the left foreground, at the edge of the water, stands a man, looking at the formation. The beach sand is white where he stands. The water near by is clear, turning to blue out near the formation. The horizon is behind the formation. The sky above the horizon is blue and cloudless.

Guluwurru

Single granite rock offshore near the Yalangbara beach that represents the canoe of the Djang'kawu.

Gumararranga

Narrow sandy beach on the western side of the peninsula. It was here that the Djang'kawu left their sacred feathered basket, along with their conical mat and clap sticks.

A colour photograph of a group of rock formations in shallow water. The largest formation is in the middle of the photograph. It is made up of several rounded boulders. In the right foreground is a single boulder, which is darker than the other boulders. Smaller rock formations are visible under the water. A single person can just be seen in the middle of the photograph, wading in the water. The sky above is blue and cloudless.

Mayarrmayarr 1

Exposed granite rocks offshore and abutting the mainland at the northern end of Yalangbara beach.

Nganmarra

Rocky island in Lalawuy Bay near Wapilina, represents the Sisters' conical mat, a symbol of their fertility.

Walinyina

Granite islands and mainland cliffs. There are two large islands here that represent the clapsticks of the Djang'kawu. In between there is an underwater freshwater well.

Wapilina

Vegetated granite island in Lalawuy Bay. It was here that the Djang'kawu encountered the Yirritja moiety Bayini who were processing trepang. This is also an important Macassan archaeological site.

Wapitja

Sandy spit with a single casuarina tree that represents the walking stick of the Djang'kawu.

Wulpinbuy

Exposed rock reef where the Djang'kawu left their feathered armbands on their journey to the mainland.

Yalangbara

In this context the name refers to the specific beach where the Djang'kawu landed after their sea journey. Here they created freshwater wells and casuarina trees.