Crocodiles and Aborigines
"Crocodiles belong to this country, they are part of our dreaming"
How the Crocodile Came To Be
Australian Aboriginal Belief
"Baru". The baru is the saltwater crocodile, the primary symbol of the Gumatj people. The Gumatj people are also known as the saltwater people and the crocodile people. They come from the pristine coastal region in the northeast corner of Australia's Northern Territory. The language the baru speaks is full of fire and wisdom and strength.
Long ago, in Dream Time, the sky was close to the land and everything crept or crawled upon it. Yondi the warrior found a magic stick with which to raise the sky. When the sky had been raised Yondi threw away the stick which had become bent under the weight of the sky.
To Yondi's surprise, the bent stick returned to him, and so the Boomerang was born! Yondi threw it again and this time it did not return. Instead it struck a long, rock-like object which suddenly came to life! The object began to writhe. It was Croonar the Crocodile who had been sleeping on the banks of a lagoon. Croonar was angry at being disturbed. He opened his mouth many times and it became very large. All the creatures cowered in fear. But Yondi,the warrior, stood tall.
To this day Croonar sleeps in the swamps and lagoons among the mangrove trees, with his wide mouth and rock-like form. And Yondi the warrior, and all warriors to follow, have been careful to throw boomerangs with the greatest of skill and respect, so as not to disturb other legendary creatures.
Min-na-wee
Australian Aboriginal Belief
(Why the crocodile rolls)
As the last rays of the beautiful red-pink sun set on the small camp and the sweeping coastal plain, all the little girls played, enjoying themselves.
All the young boys were with their fathers, learning the ways of manhood. The mothers were preparing for the evening meal. There was fresh fish cooking on the coals, with freshly-caught mud crabs and mussels.
Everyone in the group was contented, the season had been good for them. Plenty of fresh food.
Min-na-wee was different. From a little girl, Min-na-wee liked to cause trouble amongst the other little girls. Min-na-wee's face was so hard and scaly-looking, it mostly revealed her hatred.
The old people knew of Min-na-wee's efforts to start trouble, which led to fights. Not only among the little girls, but also their mothers.
The old people warned Min-na-wee's mother that if she did not stop Min-na-wee making humbug, then something terrible would happen to her.
Years passed and Min-na-wee grew into a young woman, but she still liked to cause trouble. One day all the young women, including Min-na-wee, had to prepare to be selected as brides. Min-na-wee stood in a line with all the other girls. The old people pointed out which men were to marry which women. By the end of the ceremony, Min-na-wee was left standing alone. She had not been chosen to become a wife.
Min-na-wee's hatred grew stronger and stronger. She caused more and more trouble in the camp. Fights were breaking out every day amongst the tribe. Min-na-wee sat back in her little humpy and watched. She was pleased with herself.
The Elders of the tribe agreed that Min-na-wee must be punished for what she had done.
Min-na-wee had little knowledge of the tribe's decision. As she approached the women to cause another fight, she was grabbed by the men and rolled around and around in the dirt.
She managed to escape and run in to the edge of the sea where she called on the evil spirits to change her into a vicious animal so she could stage a revenge attack on her tribe. Min-na-wee was changed into a large crocodile and slid into the muddy waters, awaiting her prey.
The tribes people thought no more of Min-na-wee and carried out their daily events. As they wandered along the banks, hunting for mud crabs, Min-na-wee lay waiting. One of the men who had taken part in Min-na-wee's punishment jumped into the water. Min-na-wee crept up behind and grabbed him. She told him she would roll him around and around, as he had done to her. Over and over, she continued to roll him in the water, until she was satisfied he was punished enough.
To this day, Min-na-wee's spirit still remains with the crocodiles and that is why every time that a crocodile catches its prey, it always will roll around and around in the water.
Oz Magic Notes:
The Australian Aborigine has had an intimate relationship with the crocodile for thousands of years. Most coastal aborigines regard the crocodile as a sacred animal or totem.
The Australian Aborigine knows the crocodile well, they know its habits and how to avoid being eaten by them. The crocodile is an important part of aboriginal life and their culture. They have a crocodile dreaming, stories, songs and dances about the crocodile.
They believe that long ago in the Dreaming their crocodile ancestor made parts of this land. This was in a time when animals could become people and would have many adventures. Many Aboriginal communities have their own stories about the crocodile and the land it inhabits and its spirits.
To many aboriginal communities the crocodile is a totem that cannot be hunted and must be respected, for thousands of years these people have followed this aboriginal law. To them looking after the crocodile means they are looking after their country, in the same way their ancestors did.
"Crocs belong to this country. They're part of our dreaming. The croc is our brother, just like birds and fish and turtles. We've got to respect crocs, like we respect the sea and land, our mother. Killing a croc is against Aboriginal Law."
Aboriginal Elder, Far North Queensland
The creator of Oz Magic was lucky enough to visit Arnhemland during his time in Darwin. He used to be a vocalist and performed at some communities and towns in Arnhemland and the Gulf of Carpentaria from time to time.
Whilst not claiming to be an expert on the Aborigine people he found them to be a helpful, knowledgeable, proud people who are quick with a smile and have a great sense of humour. The children are fantastic with a natural mischievous nature and wonderful big smiles that would light up the heart of the coldest person.
During these visits he usually got chatting with the local people and found out a few of the ways the Aboriginal people avoid being eaten by the Crocodiles that inhabit their traditional lands. In nearly all areas the Crocodile is a sacred animal revered by the Aborigines.
Note: Oz Magic does not recommend you test these techniques out. The Aborigine people in these regions have had thousands of year's experience with The Saltwater Crocodile and these stories were related in conversation to Oz Magic.
Technique One: Rivers, Creeks and Billabongs.
If a Crocodile is known to be in the area and you have reason to go to the waters edge find a number of medium sized rocks. Stand well back from the water edge (as far as possible) and throw the rocks into the water at the waters edge at 12-inch intervals along the bank.
The theory is that if a Crocodile is lying in wait a rock landing in the water within 12 inches of the Crocodile will provoke an attack response thereby revealing the Crocodiles position.
The author of Oz Magic had reason to test this technique whilst living in the Northern Territory. On one occasion at Corroboree Billabong System this technique saved his life as there was a large Crocodile lying in wait and it did provoke an attack response. He was alone and had seen the Crocodile the day before while fishing in his boat and the next morning did not see the Crocodile.
He found some rocks and stood well back from the waters edge and did exactly what is described above. A large crocodile rushed out of the water with a bone crunching snap.
The creator of Oz Magic then went straight home and washed out his underpants.
If he had not talked to that Aboriginal man you would not be reading this today and Oz Magic would have never been built.
Technique Two: The Beach.
When swimming on the coast aboriginals will find a sandy white stretch of beach with clear water. A lookout is posted in a tree or another advantageous lookout position. The lookout takes note of dark patches in the water against the white sandy bottom (these denote rock or reef formations). If one of the dark patches starts moving the lookout warns the swimmers and everyone gets out of the water.
The theory is that if a rock starts moving it is actually a Crocodile.
Technique Three: Billabongs, Creeks and Water Lilies.
One of the foods Arnhemland Aborigines will seek out are called File Snakes. These non-venomous snakes that live in water and can be found living in large numbers within growths of water lillies. Aboriginal people will enter the water in known Crocodile habitats and search the base of the water Lilly system to seek out the snake. A quick bite behind the head of the snake kills it and the snake is hung around the neck of the person while they look for more snakes.
Again a lookout is posted high on the bank, the snake hunters stay within the perimeter of the water lilly pad complex. If the lookout sees water lilly pads from the outside of the system disappearing under the water, the alarm is given and everyone gets out of the water.
Water lillies grow along the edges of a body of water and there is usually clear water in the middle of the body of water. The plants have a stem that travels from the bottom of the Creek or Billabong and extends up to the surface of the water where the Lilly pad is.
These plants are usually growing very close together so if a large Crocodile is approaching the theory is that its body will drag the lilly pads under the surface of the water revealing the Crocodiles position.
Note:
Whatever the reason it is not recommended that you enter the water in a known Saltwater Crocodile Habitat. Again, if you are not sure of where you are do not go in the water. Even along the waters edge extreme caution is recommended. Always built your campsite well away from the waters edge 200 metres or more.
Northern Territory
Photo by Ludo Kuipers
www.ozoutback.com.au
Australian Saltwater Crocodile & Aboriginals
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