Indigenous peoples of western Arnhem Land, central northern Australia, have detailed knowledge of the rock kangaroos of the region, species that are little known to science. Information about the ecology of the species is required for their conservation and management. Ethnoecological studies can assist senior indigenous people with transfer of knowledge and can give respect and meaningful employment to those involved. We used semidirected interviews in the regional vernacular, Bininj Kunwok, to record indigenous knowledge of the ecology of the four rock kangaroo species (Petrogale brachyotis, P. concinna, Macropus bernardus and M. robustus). Discussions focussed on habitat preferences, diet, activity patterns, reproduction, predation, and hunting practices. The ethnoecological knowledge of the rock kangaroo species was extensive, and both complemented and extended that reported in the scientific literature. In contrast to scientific understanding of taxonomy and ecology, consultants recognized the rock kangaroos as a natural group. They also described subtle differences in the species’ comparative ecology. The methodology used proved highly successful and we recommend recording indigenous knowledge of the ecology of fauna species in the local vernacular wherever possible. This study is one of the most comprehensive ethnozoological studies of a group of species undertaken in Australia.
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Notes
Throughout Arnhem Land, Aboriginal people organize the natural and spiritual world into two named, patrilineally inherited moieties (duwa and yirridjdja) and eight ‘subsections’ (marriage classes which mesh with the moiety system). Aboriginal people in western Arnhem Land incorporate all macropod species into this system based on the religious view that at the time of creation all animals were previously in human form and have since transmutated into all the animal species of the region.
“When it eats the Solanum echinatum plant it closes its eyes, not eating with open eyes otherwise the sharp spikes of the plant would pierce its eyes. Its like eating chilli, chomping away with its eyes closed and it keeps going eating this plant until they get fat. That is the food of the black wallaroo.” (JK)
He also said; “They eat separately, but still eat similar things, Solanum echinatum, but common wallaroos tend to eat ‘softer’ foods of the open bushland, but black wallaroos can too. We say that the black wallaroos eat the foods which appear after burning” (LBN).
A closely related rock-wallaby species (P. burbidgei) was similarly described by a naturalist as stamping its feet vigorously while repeatedly turning, “literally dancing!” (Lochman, 1987).
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are grateful to Jimmy Kalarriya, Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, Mick Kubarkku, Bill Birriyabirriya Namundja, Tom Noydduna, Jack Nawilil, Graham Rostron, Djungkidj Ngindjalakku, Joshua Rostron, Thomson Yulidjirri, Gabriel Maralngurra, Isaiah Nagurrgurrba, Roy Anderson, and Maxie Buruwei (deceased) for sharing their knowledge and teaching us about rock kangaroos and country. Many thanks also to Jeremy Russell-Smith for help with plant identifications, and Peter Cooke whose dogged enthusiasm and hard work has facilitated the recording of knowledge by some of the key consultants. The comments of David Bowman, Tony Griffiths, and John Woinarski greatly improved the manuscript. This project was funded by the Hermon Slade Foundation, the Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife Management and the Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre.
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Telfer, W.R., Garde, M.J. Indigenous Knowledge of Rock Kangaroo Ecology in Western Arnhem Land, Australia. Hum Ecol 34, 379–406 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-006-9023-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-006-9023-3