Adnyamathanha History By Tara

Introduction Adnyamathanha are the Aboriginal people of the Northern Flinders Ranges. Adnyamathanha means “Rock People” Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges lived sustainably with the land thousands of years.

History British settlers moved into the Flinders Ranges in the 1840s changing the land. For the Adnyamathanha people, traditional knowledge was challenged and they were forced to adapt and change.

Sacred Sites Cave paintings, stone arrangements, occupation sites, graves and ochre quarries are testament to a rich cultural heritage and have great significance for Adnyamathanha people.

Europeans The early settlers did not consider the possibility that they were taking over the Aboriginal land and that the livestock they brought with them were destroying Adnyamathanha food sources and water holes.

The Flinders Ranges are said to be the oldest ranges in the world and they have been home to the Adnyamathanha people for thousands of years. Their Dreaming stories tell of the creation of the Flinders Ranges and next is one of them… Dreaming

The Story of the Snake Akurra is a giant water snake who has a beard and mane. He is creator and keeper of all permanent water holes and springs (awi). Akurra lived in the Gammon Ranges. One day he travelled to the plains looking for water. When he came across Lake Frome and Lake Callabonna, he drank them dry. Because the water was salty, Akurra became bloated and his trip back to the ranges was very slow. The heat from the sun warmed his trip back to the ranges and made rumbling sounds that can still be heard over a great distance. As he went Akurra carved out the gorges in which creeks run and made water holes and springs and finally Ikara (Wilpena Pound) and Ngarri."

Racism The aboriginal suffered from the prejudice of the European and were often discriminated against but are equal citizens today. By Tara