By Welcome to Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future
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Turquoise beach on Djugun Yawuru Country (2020) by Tourism AustraliaOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
Located in the north west of Western Australia, is the coastal town of Rubibi, known as Broome. It's famous for pristine, sandy beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Meet Bart Pigram (Compilation) (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
This is the traditional lands of the Djugun and Yawuru People and is part of Djugun-Yawuru Country. The Djugan and Yawuru People are the knowledge holders of this Country, embodying the history, culture, seasons, stories and songlines of this landscape.
Bart Pilgrim by Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
Meet Bart Pigram, a Yaruwu man from Australia's West Kimberley region who belongs to a long tradition of pearling workers and musicians. Bart’s a cultural guide, passionate about sharing his perspective of life on Country - to help preserve knowledge and pass on to future generations.
Narlijia Experiences Tour on Djugun/Yawuru Country in Broome (2018) by Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
“Tours are reconciliation in practice. The way to get someone to really appreciate culture is through showing them personally.” - Bart Pigrim
Join Bart on Djugun Yawuru Country.
Bart Pigram Original Interview (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country
The coastal landscape of Djugun-Yawuru Country is dominated by beaches, mudflats and mangroves - unique but interconnected ecosystems that are home to an abundance of plants, birds and marine species, e.g. gamirda-gamirda (shorebirds), gurlibil (turtle) and nganarr (dugong). Although Djugun-Yawuru Country extends far inland, their peoples consider themselves to be 'saltwater people'.
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Along the shoreline lies the waters of Roebuck Bay, a significant site that is intrinsically connected to the Djugun and Yawuru Peoples. This site is used for ceremonies and gatherings as well as the fishing, hunting and gathering of foods.
Bart Pigram Original Interview (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country
When Bart gazes across the flat, turquoise blue expanse of Roebuck Bay, he doesn’t just see water - he sees footprints hidden by the tides, mangroves harbouring crabs and pearling luggers that used to dot the horizon.
Exploring the Mangroves at Broome (2019) by Tourism AustraliaOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
Mangroves are an ecologically diverse ecosystem which is vital to the health of coastal lands, waters and wildlife. They form a bridge between land and sea, help prevent erosion, purify and enrich coastal waters and provide habitats for a huge variety of marine and wildlife.
Meet Bart Pigram (Compilation) (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
"Ngaji Gurrjin"
Welcome to Broome and Djugun-Yawuru Country.
Tidal Flats at Broome by Narlijia Experiences Broome, WAOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
At low tide, these mangroves are alive with Bagul Bagul (mudskippers), wanggaja (mudcrabs) and a variety of birds. For the Djugun and Yawuru Peoples, these mangroves provide a rich, natural tidal food source, all year round. They are home to a huge variety of fish, crabs, shellfish, crustaceans and bush foods.
Let's take a look.
Meet Bart Pigram (Compilation) (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
Djugun-Yawuru Country is culturally significant with many Dreamtime stories. These stories explain the period of creation, when creator beings traversed Country, shaping and naming the landscape and defining language, customs and law.
Meet Bart Pigram (Compilation) (2020) by Welcome to Country, Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Welcome to Country: Narlijia Experiences Broome
Broome is home to a variety of mangrove forests, the most common being the grey mangroves.
Shellfish: Mudcrab: Oyster (2020) by Narlijia Experiences Broome, Welcome to CountryOriginal Source: Welcome to Country
Janga or oyster patches can be found around the bay, including during the transition from Laja (Hot time) to Man-gala (The Wet). In Djugun-Yawuru Country there are six seasons that inform its peoples about changes to the environment and marine life.
Bart Pigram (2018) by Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
"I love my culture, I love my language and this is just one way that we can, as Aboriginal people, share our rich culture." - Bart Pigram
Narlijia Experiences Tour on Djugun/Yawuru Country in Broome (2018) by Narlijia Experiences BroomeOriginal Source: Tourism Australia Image Gallery
Keep exploring Country
Djugun-Yawuru Countries in the Broome area are just two of over 260 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups across Australia. Continue your journey learning about Aboriginal culture with Welcome to Country.
Created in collaboration with Bart Pigram and Narlijia Experiences. Language used belongs to the Yawuru People of Broome, Western Australia
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