Page 13 - The Islander - March '22

The Islander, Page 13

Travel from page 12 Jabiru is “the” major town
in Kakadu Park. Located
Almost 500 square kilometers are tied up in the tidal and at the border of Arnhem
coastal flats on the northern tip of the peninsula. Mangrove Land, it was constructed to
forests that run through this area are ideal for fish breeding, supply housing to the foreign
especially the barramundi, which is the staple fish of the workers who came to work the
Aborigine. This water-intensive habitat is internationally Ranger uranium mine. This
recognized as being significant for migratory birds. facility has greatly slowed
Arnhem Land, named after the Dutch ship Arnhem that its production because of the
explored the territory in 1623, is today the northern homeland cost to extract and supply
of the Aborigine. Its borders have been established and a the ore from this location
permit, issued by the Aboriginal clan, is required to visit and and the plunging price for
travel over the land. Joint tribal authorities manage the land, uranium ore. Long before the
attempting to keep it in its natural condition. Even when the mine work was even started,
Gagudju Crocodile Hotel was built on the border of Arnhem the Aborigine knew the area Kakadu’s renowned rock art has recorded and preserved the Aboriginal people’s history and
Land, the tribal council dictated its design. The first order around the mine as the “sick culture for millennia.
was that it be no higher than the surrounding trees; this place.” It is suspected that,
was no problem. However the floor plan generated unique over the millennia, low levels of radiation may have affected Throughout Australia most Aborigines speak English,
requirements. What better place to enter the building than parts of the population, creating this omen over the land. however those in Arnhem Land still speak the language
through the mouth of the crocodile? This leads into the croc’s Arnhem Land exists today without hard surface roads, of their clan, each different than the others. Bininj/
head (lobby). Large exhaust fans have become the eyes, and power distribution, water and other elements of a civilization Mungguy is the dominant clan in the area and establishes
as you may suspect, the rooms are in the belly of the beast, as we know them; however, this is not a deterrent to the the standards for social behavior and customs. They are
looking onto a center courtyard with a pool the shape of a people. They continue to live as their ancestors did – off the extremely respectful of the dead and their burial places.
croc’s heart. This pool is the only one the park service has land and protected from nature in the caves of the area of Speaking the name of a dead person or looking at that
considered safe for swimming in all of Kakadu and Arnhem simple corrugated metal huts that they have built. Because person’s image is considered inappropriate. They also
Land. By the way, as you might expect, the hotel’s services they have always been hunters and gatherers, they do not appreciate their privacy and are reluctant to pose for
entrance is at the other end of the croc. build large communities, but rather, live in small clans and photos. And, although shy, they are friendly and say:
tribes … working as a unit for survival. They have learned
to manage their resources wisely, taking only what they need Ngad Bininj ngarri-djare ngudda wurrim-ire wurrih-nan
for subsistence. To do this to the utmost advantage, they have ngad gun-bolk dja ngad culture.
learned to accurately forecast the weather and the seasons. This
knowledge has been handed down to them in Dreamtime. They Translation: “We Aboriginal people want you to come
know that the appearance of certain butterflies, grasshoppers, see our country and share our culture.”
worms and other insects – and certain colors of plants – signify
specific consequences in terms of weather. We could only wish Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
that our meteorologists were that accurate. having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans,
Throughout the ages they have used fire and controlled seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel
burning. It is a part of their way of life. Quoting Big Bill Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
Neidjie, Bunitj Clan elder: located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
The earth, I never damage. has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida
I look after. Fire is nothing, just clean up. area for over a quarter of a century. Contact him at (561)
When you burn, new grass coming up. 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
That means good animal soon.
Might be goanna, possum, wallaby. Photos by Don Kiselewski
The Gagudju Crocodile Hotel Burn him off, new grass coming up, new life all over.