Nourlangie
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Nourlangie Rock (also called Burrunguy) is located in an outlying formation of the Arnhem Land Escarpment within the Kakadu National Park. It can be reached off the Kakadu Highway between Jabiru and Cooinda. The word Nourlangie derives from Nawurlandja which is actually the name of a smaller rock outcropping at the Anbangbang billabong.
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[edit] Rock art at Nourlangie
There are a number of shelters in amongst this large outcrop linked by at 1.5km circular walk. The shelters contain several impressive paintings that deal with creation ancestors. The stories connected to these artworks are known only to certain Aboriginal people and remain secret.
[edit] Anbangbang
The Anbangbang Shelter drawings are some of the most famous in the National Park. They were lasted worked upon in 1964 by Nayambolmi, a member of the Badmardi Clan.
Namondjok is the central figure of the upper part and is thought to have been guilty of incest. To the right sits Namarrgon, a lightning being who plays a central role in the creation legends. The white band that links his ankles, head and hands is a lightning bolt. He also caused thunder by hitting clouds with an adze.
Underneath is Namarrgon's wife Barrginj. Together they produced the Al-yurr, a species of blue and orange grasshopper who in Aboriginal mythology are said to have taught humans their languages, societal structures and beliefs.
[edit] Nangawulur
Nangawulur Shelter (formerly spelled Nangaloar) is located on the western side of Nourlangie Rock and can be reached via a 3.4km walk which leads through a swamp to the west of Nourlangie. It features drawings of Namandi spirits, hand stencils, animals in the aboriginal x-ray style and contact art (such as a drawing of a European sailing ship).
Nangawulur was an important aboriginal camping site of the Warramal Clan, located on a main route which leads to the South Alligator floodplain.
[edit] References
Park Notes about Nangaloar and the Walk to the Art Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1986
[edit] See also
- Kakadu National Park
- Plants Kakadu National Park
- Protected areas of the Northern Territory (Australia)
- Kakadu plum
- Indigenous Australians´
[edit] External links
- Aboriginal Art Lear more about Aboriginal culture in Kakadu
- Google Map Map of Kakadu National Park including art sites
