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'The nine stories in this book come from nine different regions in the Northern Territory. They are written in the language spoken in that region and they are a mix of traditional stories and stories that reflect life as it is lived in those communities today. Each story has accompanying illustrations.
'Sharing these favourite stories in this book will not only help make connections between Aboriginal communities stronger - Aboriginal people can read about what is the same as where they live and what is different - but they will also help non-Aboriginal people to better appreciate Aboriginal people and their connection to their countries and languages.
'NT Mob Sharing Stories is a rich collection and a rare one as it is probably the first time these nine languages have been printed in a book together. This is a book that celebrates Aboriginal stories and languages and is one that should be in every home, school and library.' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Note on AustLit indexing: some of the items in this collection are Dreaming stories (Creation stories), some are Indigenous stories (stories containing Indigenous knowledges and culture, but which are not dreaming or Creation stories).
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Included on the 2024 White Ravens list.
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Editor's note: This book is written and illustrated by Aboriginal people from the coast, from the inland, from the flood plains, from the islands and from the desert. They were originally produced by schools and literature and language production centres in the Northern Territory.
Contents
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Nanhthi Marrurru,
Tjinburul Bruce Wundjar Tchinburur
(illustrator),
Deminhimpuk Francella Bunduck
(translator),
Bill Forshaw
(translator),
single work
prose
dreaming story
(p. 10-19)
'This is the Kardu Diminin Dreaming story of the Milky Way that happened at Mawurt. It tells the story of the two women who drowned at Mawurt and then changed into the Milky Way.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language (p.11).
-
Ngalkunburriyaymi Yawkyawk,
Jill Nganjmirra
(illustrator),
Seraine Namundja
(illustrator),
Dell Hunter
(translator),
Andy Peart
(translator),
single work
prose
Indigenous story
(p. 20-29)
'Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory know and believe that the ngalkunburriyaymi mermaid spirits are everywhere in the Top End.. Stories about these spirits have been handed down by our ancestors from long ago.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, p.21.
-
Balanda Runu'ŋur,
Jeffrey Ranhdhakpuy
(illustrator),
single work
prose
Indigenous story
(p. 30-39)
'This story, "Balanda Runu'ŋur", is about a non-Indigenous man who was stranded on an island for three months. Two Yolŋu people found him and took him back home to the mainland.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language (p.31).
Note: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language describes this edition as 'edited': no information on extent of changes. -
Wunenungkwarba-kiya nenandeyi-mulangwa yimendu-wa,
single work
prose
Indigenous story
(p. 40-49)
'This story is about two men looking for a turtle. The people from the three communities on Groote Eylandt love eating the meat from turtles.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language (p.41).
-
yi-Gudarrgu-yinyung marri yi-Waayin-jinyung ana-Lhaawu,
Jangu Nundhirribala
,
single work
prose
dreaming story
(p. 51-59)
'"The Brolga and the Emu" is a Wubuy Dreaming story for the Ngalmi and Nunggumajbarr clans. This story is about a fight between Brolga and Emu over a grinding stone. It explains why brolgas have a red crest and why emus have a hump on their back. It also tells us why brolgas and emus live in their respective habitats.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, p.51.
-
Tudei En Longtaim,
Binjari Buk
(illustrator),
single work
picture book
children's
(p. 60-69)
'Move back and forth in time in Stella Raymond’s fascinating book comparing how life is lived now in Aboriginal communities to how it was lived in the olden days. Written in English and Kriol, Stella’s home language, this book not only is an insight into Aboriginal life now and then, but also to a language that is widely spoken across the top of Australia.'
Source : publisher's blurb
- Jurttanti-kurangi, Teddy Plummer , single work prose Indigenous story (p. 70-79)
-
Urreye Akweke,
Sabella Kngwarreye Turner
(translator),
single work
prose
Indigenous story
(p. 80-89)
'"Urreye Akweke, Little Boy" is a traditional story about a boy and his dog being chased by unknown fierce men after his parents disappear. He finally makes it to safety and meets up with family.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, p.81.
-
Lungkarda-kurlu,
Jack Jakamarra Ross
,
single work
prose
dreaming story
(p. 91-99)
'"The Blue-Tongue Lizard" is a Warlpiri Dreaming story. The Dreaming goes from a place called Lungkarda-muju-muju, not far north of Yuemdumu and travels to Karriya, a hill north of Willowra. The woman Nungarrayi is very persistent, setting off again and again. She is right skin for the man Jangala so this story has a happy ending. The story also explains why blue-tongue lizards have dark patches under their eyes.'
Source: NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, p.91.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Awards
- 2024 selected White Ravens
