Indigenous Australians’ water values
Place in the Environment
It is important to note that while European settlers work to control their environment, altering it to
suit their needs and purposes, the Indigenous Australians hold a different view. Rather than being
above the environment and controlling it, the Indigenous perspective is one of belonging to the
environment and being a part of it and showing great respect.
Dreaming stories tell of the formation of certain water sources and describe where, and how, to
find them. These water sources were also described in artworks, such as those carved on the
reverse of a spear thrower by the Pintupi peoples. This emphasises the importance that water
holds for Indigenous groups living in arid climates as sources of both water and food.
Modern settlements now replace much of the traditional lifestyle in many communities. Some of
these communities are home to over a thousand people. Most of these permanent settlements rely
on groundwater tapped with bores to provide water, rather than the collection of water by traditional
means.
Even though there are permanent settlements in some areas, many people still lead a traditional
(or partially traditional) lifestyle. This means that sites and stories are still an important part of their
culture and necessary for their survival.
Locating Water
Due to being on an island freshwater was always a problem. Kanomi used the cabbage tree palm
as an indication of where water is. Digging around the cabbage tree palms would always lead to
water under the surface. Kanomi also used the stem of the grass tree to chew and suck on to
provide water when walking.
Rainfall does not occur often in arid areas of Australia, but when it does, Indigenous Australians
move quickly to contain and conserve the water. Traditionally Indigenous Australians have sources
of water that has become trapped in waterholes, rock and tree hollows or underground in the roots
of trees.
Indigenous Australians of south western Australia (such as the Balardung peoples) extract water
stored in rock hollows, known as gnammas.
Tree roots also store water that can be harvested for human use. A range of eucalypt species have
extremely long roots that extend many metres away from the trunk and are relatively close to the
surface. The Nyanganyatjara peoples (among other southern Australian Desert peoples) harvested
water from the roots of various trees such as the red or blue mallee. These peoples also learned to
collect and drain dew drops from a variety of plants.
Various pigeons, such as the crested pigeon, the forest bronzewing and the flock pigeon are used
by the Desert peoples of Australia (such as the Walmatjarri peoples and the Mangala peoples) as
indicators of the presence of water. These bird species, and many others, were followed to sources
of water.
Because natural sources of water were important, both for drinking water and food, Indigenous
Australians were careful to avoid polluting these places.
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It has been recorded that Arrernte peoples of Central Australia could even squeeze out water from
the water-holding frog. This is a frog species that holds large amounts of water stored in its body.
They are able to be found below the surface of claypans.
In some inland areas, soaks were commonly used by the Luritja peoples. A soak is a place where
water seeps through sand and collects where it comes up against rock or hard clay. Indigenous
Australians (such as the Pintupi peoples and Arrernte peoples) knew of these places and were
able to dig down and get water from them.
Water Use
At some rock holes, those which contain clean water, it is custom of the Arrernte peoples of
Central Australia to often require that people sip the water without using their hands. This is done
for hygienic purposes, so that the water is not contaminated for the next user.
Sometimes a large rock was used to cover the hole to stop water escaping through evaporation or
to prevent animals getting at it.
Water Storage
Water was often carried to areas where it was needed.
Kanomi would use bailer shells to carry water. The shell was large enough to carry a few litres.
The Kalkadoon peoples made bags, known as norlo, from the skins of large animals that could
store and carry large amounts of water.
European Reliance
Early Europeans often depended on the knowledge of Indigenous Australians to help them find
water in the Australian environment. Explorers in more modern times have also been aided by the
knowledge that Indigenous Australians have passed down through stories and songs. These
stories speak of how and where to find water in the arid environments of Australia.
References
Aboriginal People and Groundwater, 2007, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 20 September
2011, http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/water/ground/people/aboriginal.html.
Spencer, B & Gillen, F J, 1912, Across Australia, volume 1, MacMillan and Co., London.
Bayly, I A E 1999, ‘Review of how indigenous people managed for water in desert regions of Australia’,
Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, no. 82, p. 17-25.
Roth, W E 1984, The Queensland Aborigines, volume 2, Hesperian Press, Victoria Park.
Start a New Life in Australia 2009, Start-a-New-Life-in-Australia, viewed 20 September 2011,
http://www.start-a-new-life-in-australia.com/aboriginal-food.html#axzz1WeaKGJwS.
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