Karu: Growing up Gurindji

A$29.95

Biddy Wavehill Yamawurr, Felicity Meakins, Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Violet Wadrill

Gurindji country is located in the southern Victoria River in the Northern Territory of Australia. Gurindji people became well known in the 1960s and 1970s due to their influence on Australian politics and the Indigenous land rights movement. They were instrumental in gaining equal wages for Aboriginal cattle station employees and they were also the first Aboriginal group to recover control of their traditional lands.

In Karu, Gurindji women describe their child-rearing practices. Some have a spiritual basis, while others are highly practical in nature, such as the use of bush medicines. Many Gurindji ways of raising children contrast with non-Indigenous practices because they are deeply embedded in an understanding of country and family connections. This book celebrates children growing up Gurindji and honours those Gurindji mothers, grandmothers, assistant teachers and health workers who dedicate their lives to making that possible.

2019 | ISBN 9781925581836 | Paperback | 210 x 297 mm | 96 pp | Four colour + QR codes

Biddy Wavehill Yamawurr, Felicity Meakins, Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Violet Wadrill

Gurindji country is located in the southern Victoria River in the Northern Territory of Australia. Gurindji people became well known in the 1960s and 1970s due to their influence on Australian politics and the Indigenous land rights movement. They were instrumental in gaining equal wages for Aboriginal cattle station employees and they were also the first Aboriginal group to recover control of their traditional lands.

In Karu, Gurindji women describe their child-rearing practices. Some have a spiritual basis, while others are highly practical in nature, such as the use of bush medicines. Many Gurindji ways of raising children contrast with non-Indigenous practices because they are deeply embedded in an understanding of country and family connections. This book celebrates children growing up Gurindji and honours those Gurindji mothers, grandmothers, assistant teachers and health workers who dedicate their lives to making that possible.

2019 | ISBN 9781925581836 | Paperback | 210 x 297 mm | 96 pp | Four colour + QR codes

Endorsements

Karu: Growing Up Gurindji shares the cultural knowledge, language and experiences of some extraordinary women and their roles as matriarchs, aunties, sisters and health workers. Karu gives new meaning to the phrase ‘bedtime stories’ with Dreamtime stories about Gurindji country, its creatures, and the morals followed to live a rich life. This book, accompanied by striking photos and artwork, is not only a gift to mothers, but everyone who values children.

—Dr Anita Heiss, Wiradjuri Nation, author and Professor of Communications, University of Queensland

Beautifully written by First Nations women on Gurindji country where the fight for equal wages began. This book passionately expresses the stories told by strong women about their history and culture. A must read!

—Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Yanyuwa Nation, Senator for the Northern Territory

Table of Contents

Dedication
Preface
Gurindji Language and Culture series
How we made the book

Contributors
Introduction

Ngaturr (Pregnancy)
Kurungkarni — The place of the children
Yimaruk or wipilirri — Returned souls
Wartiwarti karu — Born left-handed
Punyu mangarri ngarturr-ku — Good foods for pregnant women
Jamuny — Preganancy taboo foods

Ngitji karu-wu (Caring for Children)
Introduction
Ngamayi kamparnup — Treating mothers after birth
Ngapulu kamparnup — Promoting milk
Karu kamparnup — Treatments using termite mound
Warra karu parntawurru — Looking after babies backs
Purntunarri kamparnaup — Treating older babies
Yarnanti rarraj-ku — A charm for running
Ngarrka karu-walija — Introducing children to country and ancestors
Manyanyi and marlan — Bush vicks and river red gum
Yarnanti kulykulya-wu — A charm for colds
Punyukkaji kulykulya-wu — Cures for colds
Yirrijkaji, wariyili and partiki — Dodonaea polyzyga, Senna spp., Terminalia arostrata
Nganany karu-wu — Warnings for children
Jarrakap — Learning to talk Janyarrp — Baby talk
Jaru karu-wu — Words for babies

Karu yurrk (Children's stories)
Introduction
Warrija kirrawa The crocodile and goanna
Ngarlkiny karu — The greedy child
Jajurlang — The grandmother and her grandson
Jampurra — The cry baby
Luma kurrupartu — The bluetongue and his favourite boomerang

Story sources

Reviews

I am so impressed by this book I keep buying it for other people. It is written bi-lingually in Gurindji and English. The stories are simple but expressive. The book has lots of wonderful photos.

—Reader, Canberra, Booktopia