The Djanggawul Sisters

A Haiku by Luthiena o Lorien

Endlessly pregnant,

Produced the world's first sacred,

Holy artifacts

According to the Aboriginal people of north eastern Amhem Land, the human race evolved from three great ancestorial beings, known as Djanggawul and his two sisters: Bildiwuwiju (or Bildjiwuraru), the elder sister who had many children; and Muralaidj (or Miralaidj), who had just reached puberty.  Together, they lived on an island known as Baralku, the island of the dead.

One day they decided to load up their canoe with sacred objects and emblems (which they kept in a conical mat basket) and travel to Australia.  They landed on the Arnhem Land coast at a place called Yelanghara beach near Port Bradshaw.   When Djanggawul plunged his mawalan (walking stick) into the sand, a freshwater spring formed.  The stick then grew into a she-oak tree.

As Djanggawul and his two sisters travelled across the land, they named places and animals, and placing sacred objects in the ground for future generations. They peopled the country as they went and finally reached what would become Elcho Island.  One day, Djanggawul tripped over a creeper and accidentally pushed his walking stick into the mud. Instantly the seas rose and flooded the country, separating Elcho Island and the mainland.



"Mimis" by Milaybuma
of the Gunwinggu group, western Arnhem Land



The myth continues in like manner until it is told how some men, the sons of the two sisters, stole their sacred emblems, their songs and their ceremonies.  When they discovered this, after discussing the theft, Bildiwuwiju and Muralaldj forgave their sons because they still had their wombs, a visible sign of power which men could never steal.

 

At last, after many adventures and the passing on of important cultural artefacts, ceremonies, songs and even language, the brother and his two sisters returned to their island home. 

 

Source: http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology/index1.htm