Katherine

In Katherine we went and visited Manual who taught us about aboriginal culture and his tribe the Dalabon. First he shared stories and information about his family and the aboriginal communities around the area. I learnt that they have different new for their extended family. Eg a cousin is called a brother or a sister. I also learned that when an aboriginal child is born they are wrapped in paperbark and put in a hut with their mother and the grandmother. The grandmother burns a special leaf that makes smoke. This will protect the mother and child and give them good health.

I did some cross hatch painting. Every tribe had a different style of cross hatch or dot painting. The Dalabon tribe uses 4 white lines in their design. I painted a black cod fish.

Next we did fire lighting. We used 2 sticks to light the fire. We had to rub the sticks really fast to make an ember. Then we put the ember in the dried grass and blow the ember gently to make it catch on fire. Each hole created by the rubbing of the stick tells its own story so the aboriginal people call them story sticks.

Finally we did spear throwing. We used a woomera to throw the spear at the "unreal kangaroo". I got my spear right through its belly. Manual said I am a good hunter and my family will not be hungry tonight.

The other activity was cruising down Katherine Gorge. We cruised through the gorges changing boats along the way. We also saw some amazing rock art as we were changing boats. It was about 8,000 years old. You could also see the sticks and the debris in the trees from the floods. Afterwards we got on a different boat and headed to the beautiful Lilly ponds for a swim. When were got there we jumped straight in the water. After we got out we had some fruit. We discovered a safe and secure rock that we could jump off into the water so we did and had so much fun. Then we walked back to the boat to head home (or should I say back to the campsite).