On Country experiences and Cultural knowledge

Understanding the seasons, the bush and waterways was pivotal to the survival of our ancestors. Sharing knowledge of where and when to find seasonal food sources, understanding the medicinal properties of plants and how to care for country, ensured that these natural resources remained available for future generations. Cultural knowledge came from family members who taught us to be familiar with the land , and how we could benefit from it. Cultural knowledge also connected us with the land through our language and Dreaming stories. For example, we call a hill “kaat ” and it is the same name as our head, the tallest place on the body or land. We also call the rivers and creeks the same name as our umbilical cord because of the commonness to sustain life, so when we
look after the land and waterways it will look after us. I still remember the taste of bobtail (yoorna). It tasted like the racehorse goanna (kaarda). The taste of noomar (fungus) remains a delicacy on my taste buds after being cooked on the coals. We still eat the fish, marron, djilgie, kangaroo, emu, crabs, prawns and other foods we refer to as being bush tucker. There are also some foods that we rarely eat due to them being listed as in danger of being extinct. Foods like possum (koomal) and tortoise are not taken much these days but the taste remains in our mouth.

Cultural knowledge and positive memories are part of the experience that we would like to share with you when you come along on a tour with Mandjoogoordap Dreaming.