Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre

The Cultural Centre

The Cultural Centre is a new effort by the community to provide artworks, souveniers and books for sale to visitors.

The Cultural Centre

The stocking and running of the Cultural Centre have been a learning experience for many of the locals as they adjust to a steady flow of visitors eager to talk to them about their art and lifestyle, and the history of the region. The centre has become a way to communicate with the wider Australian public and understand the place Jarlmadangah can take in the modern world.

The Cultural Centre
Books, dvds, cards, boomerangs, clapping sticks, postcards and carved boab nuts are always available. The Women's Centre also contributes with many women making pottery, beadwork and cotton bags and tea towels printed with traditional designs. Several books have been published including a Nykina Wordlist (which retails for $49.95) and two small books "Balkayi" and "Boorroo" which describe initiation rites and appropriate behaviour and explain the ceremonies concerning the passing away of a fellow skin-group member.

Cultural issues flow to many areas, such as the school where John Watson helps the teachers to understand how children can be educated in a modern way while stll observing customs such as the rules of skin-groups and their relationships in day to day life. Also in the Cultural Centre where the interest of visitors in buying products of the community has given a new significance to these ancient crafts, and encouraged the community to take in a broader exchange with the Australian and international communities.

The Cultural Centre