The Djinang (Yandjinung) is one tribal group of the central
Arnhem Land aborigines. In 1975, they developed Gamardi
outstation within their traditional region (country). They
exploit wild resources as foods in this Swamp-Eucalyptus forest
ecosystem.
They mainly exploit waterfowl, wallaby, emu, waterbuffalo
and fishes, which form 50% of their food. The hunting
strategies utilized to take these game have been changed by
newly introduced equipment such as shotguns, rifles and 4
wheel-drive trucks. For example, when they hunt one species
of waterfowl (Anseranas semipalmata) they use a system of triangulation
based the sounds made by the bird to pinpoint hunting
spots. This hunting strategy is based on the modern equipment.
About three decades ago waterfowl were hunted in the evening,
using spears and spear-throwers, from the trees beside the swamp.
Besides these changes in hunting strategies, the inhabitants
of Gamardi outstation still follow the food taboos strictly. One
of these is applied on the death of close kin, especially a father
and a father's siblings. In this case a person cannot eat nor
hunt/gather the main totemic (Dreaming) animals/plants of
the dead person, since it is believed that the spirits of the dead
person and their ancesters dwell in these totemic animals/plants.
Two or three years after the funeral ceremony (manekai), a
purification ceremony (wandjil) releases them from the taboo.
According to my survey, the inhabitants of Gamardi outsta-
tion retain these beliefs despite of the new hunting equipment
and strategies. The outstation functions to maintain the traditional
culture of Arnhem Land Aborigines.
アーネムランド・アボリジニ，ジナン族の狩猟と食物規制
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