Traditional Lifestyle
A short guide to some aspects of traditional lifestyle for indigenous people.
Before settlers arrived in Australia, the Aboriginal people lived on the land in large groups. These groups were called clans. The clan groups within the Narrabri Shire area were Murrii, Kubbi, Yipphi and Kumbo. Combined, these four clans made up the Goomilaroi (Kamilaroi) lands traditional inhabitants and the spoken language was Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay. Traditional Lifestyle has been somewhat lost within the Narrabri Shire. There are several groups who are trying to revive aspects of traditional lifestyle. A local dance troupe called Tinna Mundaay (Footsteps) performs at schools and many functions around town to promote aboriginal dance and increase awareness of aboriginal culture.
There are also a number of Local Aboriginal Identities with the expertise to pass on traditional cultural knowledge to local people. 'Cultural Camps' are occassionally run in co-operation with the Parks & Wildlife. Youths, Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people from Narrabri, Wee Waa and Coonabarabran participate in various camps around the district.
At the Cultural camps they are taught survival skills including, how to build fish traps using stones, bark painting, how to make spears and cooking a variety of foods in the ashes of fires. Night time activities include spotting and identifying owls, possums and other nocturnal animals. The camps are held at varying times throughout the year and interested persons can visit the National Parks website.
The local Lands Council also organises many workshops for people to teach traditional dance, music and cooking. As well as these workshops, they hold youth forums and gatherings.
There are several local role models for Indigenous people in the Narrabri Shire. Please click on the attachment below to view information n these people.
Contact details
Narrabri Shire Council
(02) 6799 6866 (ph)
(02) 6799 6888 (fax)
council@narrabri.nsw.gov.au
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