Kakadu National Park
Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by admin in Destinations, Sights
The Aboriginals (Bininj/Mungguy) believe that their people, landforms, vegetation and animals came about when spiritual ancestors traveled across the land of Kakadu during the time of creation. The spiritual ancestors carried the gifts of rules to live by. These laws centered on the wisdom of traditions, languages, kinship and environmental awareness, which gave them the knowledge to take care of the land of Kakadu.
Several languages are spoken in Kakadu but the name ‘Kakadu’ comes from the language called Gagudju, which is rarely spoken anymore. The languages spoken in Kakadu National Park today are Kunwinjku in the northeastern area, Gun-djeihmi in the central area and Jawoyn in the southern area.
The Kakadu National Park is 150 by 120 kilometers and consists of an environment of northern Alligator rivers, southern hills and basins and eastern to western Arnhem Land sandstone flat terrain. The northern half of the park is titled under Aboriginal Land Rights; however, the land trusts leased their land to the Director of National Parks thus all Australians would receive pleasure from the land.
The native Aboriginal people acknowledge six distinct seasons in Kakadu. These seasons include; Gunumeleng – before monsoon season arrives; Gudjewg – monsoon season; Banggerreng – full-blown storm season; Yegge – humid but cool season; Wurrgeng – cold season; Gurrung – dry and hot season
With the sandstone plateau, slopes, forests, rivers, seasonal streams, floodplains, tropical habitats and flat muddy regions, Kakadu is without a doubt composed of many varied landforms. Kakadu has more than sixty kinds of animals including many reptiles, plus it is home to over 280 different types of birds. Civilization has existed here for over 50,000 years, and paintings and carvings in caves are found all through Kakadu National Park. Both the long-established Aboriginal owners and the Director of National Parks oversee the park.