Yalanji Aboriginal Dreamtime Walk

Today we went to learn about the Yalanji Aboriganies. Our guide Robert was born into the Yalanji tribe. His totem is the Rock Wallaby. Robert took us on a two hour walk into the forest along an ancient hunting trail. It began at the cultural center where they showed Aboriginal artwork. He talked about the many uses for the trees and plants such as for soap, medicine, food, poisoning spear tips, paint for bodies and rock paintings. There were dangerous plants too and he talked about how they had to teach the children to be careful in the forest.
The Rock Paintings had instructions like how to cut up a tortoise to avoid the poisonous bladder bag, which would have ruined the meat. The picture looks like an x-ray of the tortoise. There was a picture of a sailing vessel, which was probably a Portuguese explorer who sailed into this area many years ago. There were also pictures of Dingos and Cassowaries. These rock shelters were where old men stood-by in case anything went badly for the young boys who were being initiated into manhood. The 3,000 year old initiation tree was near by. A group of boys about the age of twelve, were taken into the forest and left for a week by this huge tree. The boys had to hunt for their own food and survive by themselves. If you weren't up to it, you could have another try next year.
The Aboriginal rules where harsh, but it really kept things in order. For instance, if you built a fire where you were told not to, the punishment was either to leave the tribe and survive on your own or have a barbed spear pushed through your leg. Most people chose the barbed spear as it was too hard to survive on their own. After the punishment he was forgiven and no one ever spoke of it again, but the scar reminded him never to break the rules again.
The hike followed a beautiful stream. One special pool was called the Womens' Pool. No men were allowed to use it. The cold water helped the pain of childbirth. There were places for men to gather also. The water was the clear and unpolluted.
We stopped to look at a Humpy or a small living space. It was made of Wait-a While bush and sticks. He demonstrated how the Boomerang was used to catch animals in trees by throwing it sideways so it goes up into trees, hits the animal then comes straight down. This is a different technique from the desert Boomerangs because of all the trees.
The part I liked best was when Robert played the Diggeredoo for us. I took a video to show you later. We listened to him while we ate Damper and drank Billy Tea. I enjoyed learning about the Yalanji Aboriginals and rain forest from their perspective.