Aboriginal knowledge: plants and animals
Knowledge of plants and animals has been passed on by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. This is called biocultural knowledge.
This type of knowledge is different across each Aboriginal language in the Northern Territory (NT) and north Australia.
Researchers have worked with Aboriginal elders, their families and linguists to record and promote Aboriginal biocultural knowledge since 1982.
Research
Elders and teachers from more than 50 different Aboriginal languages and cultures are taking part in research.
The plant and animal knowledge of 41 Aboriginal language groups has been published in books.
This includes detailed and ancient information about all of the following:
- bush tucker
- bush medicine
- the seasons
- fibre crafts
- tools and implements
- hunting signs
- artefacts knowledge
- Dreamtime stories.
Programs
Current research is looking at subjects including:
- Belaa plants and animals
- Alawa, Marra and Warndarrang plants and animals
- Batjamalh, Emmi and Mendhe plants and animals.
Books
The findings of biocultural knowledge research are recorded in the NT Botanical Bulletin series of books listed in the table below.
To buy these books, call the Biocultural Knowledge section in the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security on 08 8999 4513.
Some books may be sold by other organisations - their contact details are listed below.
To find books out of print or not for sale, contact your local library or Biocultural Knowledge section.
| No. | Title | Publication year | Availability / cost (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A botanical survey of Elcho Island | 1976 | Out of print |
| 2 |
1. Botany of Maria Island, Gulf of Carpentaria 2. Vegetation survey of the Keep River Study Area 3. Botany of Peron Island | 1979 | Out of print |
| 3 |
1. A botanical survey of Lander River – Lake Surprise Area 2. Checklist of vascular plants, Little Nourlangie Rock | 1980 | Out of print |
| 4 |
1. General plant ecology and biology of the arid zone 2. Checklist of vascular plants of Palm Valley | 1981 | Out of print |
| 5 | The family Moraceae in the NT | 1982 | Out of print |
| 6 | Ethnobotany, vegetation and floristics of Milingimbi | 1989 | $10 |
| 7 | Mangroves of the NT (revised version see publication 31) | 1989 | Out of print |
| 8 | Checklist of the vascular plants of the Darwin region | 1989 | $10 |
| 9 | Arid zone eucalypts of the NT | 1990 | $10 |
| 10 | Ethnobotanical notes from Belyuen | 1990 | $10 |
| 11 | Alawa ethnobotany from Minyerri | 1991 | $10 |
| 12 | NT flowering plants: a key to families | 1992 | Out of print |
| 13 | NT plants of conservation significance | 1992 | Out of print |
| 14 | Mudburra ethnobotany from Kulumindini (Elliot) | 1992 | $10 |
| 15 | Mangarrayi ethnobotany from the Elsey area | 1992 | $10 |
| 16 | Ngarinyman ethnobotany from the Victoria River | 1993 | $10 |
| 17 | A key to grasses of the NT, Australia | 1994 | Out of print |
| 18 | Gurindji ethnobotany from Daguragu | 1994 | $10 |
| 19 | Sundanese ethnobotany from West Java | 1994 | Out of print |
| 20 | Flora of the Darwin region, volume 2 | 1995 | $20 |
| 21 | Rirratjingu ethnobotany from Yirrkala | 1995 | Out of print |
| 22 | Ngan'gi ethnobotany from the Daly River | 1995 | Out of print |
| 23 | Iwaidja ethnobotany from Gurig National Park | 1998 | Out of print |
| 24 |
Tiwi plants and animals from Bathurst/Melville For more information, call Tiwi Resources on 08 8941 1162 or go to the Tiwi Resources website. | 2001 | $40 |
| 25 | Wardaman plant and animal knowledge, Flora River | 1999 | Out of print |
| 26 | MalakMalak and Matngala plants and animals, Daly River | 2001 | Not for sale |
| 27 | Useful plants in the Luku Melolo forest, Indonesia | 2001 | Out of print |
| 28 | Field key for monsoon rainforests Darwin region | 2001 | $20 |
| 29 | Jawoyn plants and animals, Nitmiluk and Katherine | 2005 | $45 |
| 30 |
Wagiman plants and animals from the Daly River. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2006 | Not for sale |
| 31 | Mangroves of the NT: identification and traditional use | 2006 | $20 |
| 32 |
Marri Ngarr and Magati Ke plants and animals, Moyle River. For more information, call the Batchelor Institute on 08 8939 7111 or go to the Bachelor Institute website. | 2009 | Not for sale |
| 33 |
Warray plants and animals, Adelaide/Finniss Rivers. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2009 | Not for sale |
| 34 |
Ngarinyman plants and animals, Judbarra / Gregory National Park. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2010 | Not for sale |
| 35 |
Uunguu plants and animals, north-west Kimberley. For more information, call the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation on 08 9161 4205. | 2011 | Not for sale |
| 36 |
Jaru plants and animals, western Top End/Kimberley. For more information, call the Kimberley Language Resource Centre on 08 9168 6005. | 2010 | Not for sale |
| 37 | Flora of the Darwin region | 2011 | E-publication only |
| 38 |
Jaminjung, Ngaliwurru and Nungali plants and animals. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2011 | Not for sale |
| 39 |
Mangarrayi and Yangman plants and animals, Elsey National Park. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2011 | Not for sale |
| 40 |
Bilinarra, Gurindji and Malngin plants and animals. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2012 | $20 |
| 41 |
Dalabon plants and animals, southern Arnhem Land. For more information, call Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft on 08 8971 0036 or go to the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft website. | 2012 | $20 |
| 42 |
Walmajarri plants and animals, south Kimberley. For more information, call the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area on 08 9168 8258. | 2013 | Not for sale |
| 43 |
Ngan'gi plants and animals, Moyle River. For information, call Merrepen Arts on 08 8978 2533 or go to the Merrepen Arts website. | 2014 | Not for sale |
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