Coreen Reading Walawa

“The Dibirdibi is one of the most significant spiritual beings in our Kaiadilt history. Dibirdibi is said to have created Bentinck Island, by splicing the land mass from the mainland; in doing so, he defined Dulkawagned (Bentinck Island) as a country of it’s own, with it’s own people, language and lore. The Dibirdibi continues to be revered by our people, and is recognised as the family totem for the Gabori families, amongst others, with his final resting place being on Bardathurr on Sweers Island, part of the Kaiadilt islands. Although Dibirdibi was revered, in stories still told today, his ego appears to have led him to a not so honorable death. My elders still speak of how Dibirdibi became a bit over confident, and somewhat sneaky. He continued to create and manipulate Dulkawagned, beyond what the people agreed to; cutting channels and creating story places, that were not necessarily welcomed by the Kaiadilt occupants. He told the people that he was traveling the land in search of his small son, but would then venture onto country, creating story places and channels. The Kaiadilt people soon became fed up with Dibirdibi’s ways, and in the search of water, they pursued him at his resting place; cutting him apart, throwing his liver onto the rocks below Bardathurr to create perpetual spring for the people.”