Barney Ellaga

This billabong is long way down further from Cox River: I’m Jungai (policeman) for this place. It’s all about the Kolarong” (didgeridoo) for the Mumbali mob in Alawa Country. There’s a big didgeridoo under the water: I painted it in the painting. If a turtle goes in there you can’t get it. It’s gone forever: People can’t dive into there. They’ll be gone forever. This place is only for the Mumbali Mob. Wurat Bungu, the quiet snake, when he travelled through here on his way to Elliott (he finished up there in a big billabong) he left the “Kolarong” there under the water. He left that rock next to it. It’s called “Gudaru”. This is the first song we sing in the ceremony for young boys’ circumcision. The women dance and the men sing. This is a special place for all the Mumbali Mob.” Barney Ellaga 2003