Kuyu: Meat (Page 2)

Kuyu
meat

‘Warra akkul para jarttara ngini kuyu jawin warra akkul jaja ngini alinya akku.

They would tell us which food is jawin, a taboo.

Later on, when we were old enough and going through initiation, a certain relation would give us that meat in ceremony and after that we were allowed to eat it. And back then, when we hunted and cooked meat, we had to eat every part of that meant, even grind the bones and eat those. We didn’t throw anything away, didn’t waste anything we hunted, so that they would always be plentiful.
J Jones Jampin 2002

Birds, animals and reptiles are respected Wirnkarra (Dreaming) entities. Warumunku people have always eaten a wide variety of these kuyu (meat) foods. These foods are generally cooked whole on top of the fire or in an earth oven. Most of the animal is eaten. The old people also used other parts like bone, sinews and fat for other purposes, such as making weapons.

Generally women hunted smaller game like lizards and burrowing animals. Men were responsible for tracking and hunting larger game, like kangaroo, emu and turkey. So women supported the group every day until men scored a kill that ensured a food supply for several days. Food is distributed according to social relationships within the group. Not everyone is able to hunt and gather but everyone shares food. Today many Wumpurrani (Aboriginal people) still hunt for traditional foods on weekends.