Archiving Projects

ARDS is developing a recording and archiving service of the traditional academic knowledge of the East Arnhem Land region, including all public song cycles which cover history, law, commerce, conservation, land management, religion and philosophy. ARDS is also working at documenting the academic language of the Yolngu people, known as Gurrangay Matha. Understanding the academic language of the Yolngu people enables explanation of mainstram concepts in the people's own language. It is vital to preserve this knowledge to ensure the continued cultural survival of the Yolngu population. Through retaining this cultural knowledge, Yolngu people have access not only to their past, but also a system of law and trade that can give them insights into the way the dominant culture operates by comparison.