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Melŋurr Gapu Dhularrpa Gawiya Raypirri Ŋärra’ŋur Romgurr Mägayakurr
The information contained in this document is offered as a glimpse into the complex cultural material provided in educational introductions to traditional law. It is brief and incomplete in both depth and scope. The publiction of this information is authorized by the Ŋaymil Gampurrtji, Ŋaymil Bulkmana, Ŋaymil Dätiwuy and Ŋaymil Gondarra clan nations. It was provided to the guests attending the Ŋärra’ at Galiwinku on the 3rd of September, 2005. Authorised by: Nupurra, Gawiya, Dhularrpa, Garriyak Ŋaymil Gamburrtji, Dar’miny, Yanmala. Bulukmana, Yaluwitjiŋu, Ŋuywarrambarr. Gondarra, YarrayarrGuyuwu. Ŋaymil Dätiwuy, Birrwaŋa, DjurdjurŋaGalarrbuŋbuŋ Cl These words of instruction are for discipline and teaching. They proceed from the märr (the deep-seated political and spiritual authority) of the Djirrikay and Dalkarra (the Dhuwa political leaders and the Yirritja political leaders), and from the Ŋärra’ (the Parliamentary and Judicial sacred chamber of law). These words are from the ŋurrŋgitj (tried and tested law since time immemorial) and from the djalkiri (foundation of the world) which create mägaya rom (peace, harmony and due process of law). 1) Yaka buŋu yolŋuny murrkay'kuŋ. Nhe dhu marram dhagir'yunawuy, bayarra rom ŋunhi marrŋur Ŋärra’ŋur ga bulu dhagir'yunawuy 1. Do not murder or cause anyone to die. If you do you will be liable and receive judicial punishment for restitution at law under the Authority of the Ŋärra' court, which is also sanctioned by the whole Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 2 a) Ŋuli nhe wana-monuŋu yolŋu, nheny ŋathil dhu djirrwa’yun dhärra akarrata, bäyarra nhunapinya nhe wana, ga bäyarra romnha Ŋärrany’ ga Djalkiriny Madayin'nha 2 a) If you are the offending person, you must present yourself for Makarrata (judicial penalty of spearing through the thigh), and be put right with the law and thereby satisfy the requirements of the Ŋärrra Court and the foundational laws of (Yolŋu) society. ) b) Ŋuli bäyŋuny Makarrata nheny dhu bäyarra ŋula nhaliy mulwatthu ŋunhi a dhawatthun romŋur madayin’ŋur, nhokuŋ djämapuy ga wuburr’puy. ) b) If there is no Makarrata (penalty by the spear) you will be required to make full restitution over and made with your own hands. 3) Yaka manaŋi ŋula nha wiripuŋuw yolŋuw walalaŋ. 3) Do not steal anything belonging to any other persons 4) Yaka nhe dhu mel-dharaŋan ŋula nhä mala wiripuŋuw yolŋuw walalaŋ. 4) You will not desire jealously anything belonging to others 5) Yaka marramba’yi gurrutu yätjkurruw yolŋuw miyalkku ga dirramuw, nhe dhägir’yunawuy romŋur Ŋärra’ŋur ga bulu gurrutumirriwuŋ. 5. Do not have an incestual relationship with anyone or you will put yourself into dangerous conflict and a position unprotected by law and you will receive judicial punishment from the Ŋärra' court and which is sanctioned by the whole of Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 6) Yaka galŋa-ŋayathul ŋula yolnha yolŋuny ŋunhi dhuŋgarra nyumukuniny’mirriny, nhe ŋuli yindi dhägir’ märraŋ romŋur Ŋärra’ŋur ga gurrutumirriwuŋ. 6) Do not have sexual relations with any juvenile, or you will receive severe judicial punishment from the Ŋärra’ Court which is also sanctioned by the whole of Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 7) Yaka miyalkkuŋ gurrutuny yapany ga maŋutjiyaŋ. Dhuwaliyiny rom ŋunhi yatjkurr mirithirr, yatjkurr gurrurruk mirithirr. Nhe ŋuli dhagir' marraŋ romŋur Ŋärraŋur. 7. Do not accept sexual advances from a woman in a sister relationship to you. To do so is extremely profane, offensive and lacking of all respect. If this occurs you will receive the judicial penalty under the law of the Ŋärra. 8) Yaka nhini gi burrpuy’ ga nyalmiriy romdhu, nhe bäynha marilil nhunapinya nhe galkanmirr. 8. Do not associate with evil or deceitful practices or you are likely to subject yourself to prosecution from the law or possible retributions from others. 9 a) Yaka yätjkurr matha waŋi worru’wurruŋuw miyalkku ga dirramuw. b) Yaka biŋdharr’yurr walalany, bili ŋunhiyiny yolŋu walal ŋunhi walal ga ŋayathaman Djirrikay ga Dalkarra, ga bulu walal ga ŋayatham mägaya ga . a) Do not speak offensively about any elders b) Do not swear at or verbally insult them because our political leaders, the Djirrkay and Dalkarra come from among them. It is they who maintain and uphold our laws of peace and harmony.
13. You will not speak in the hearing of the brother things which pertain to his sister, which are of a sacred or intimate nature (that will cause him to feel angry, or ashamed), or else you will desecrate the law of the Ŋärra’ Parliament, and the foundational Madayin Law, established from the creation of the world. 14) Yaka nyal’yurr lakaraŋ ga marilil gärrinyamaraŋ wiripuny yolŋuny. 14. Do not make false statements that cause trouble for others. 15) Yaka warku’yurr ga gulkthurr madayin bathi ŋunhi dhulmu-mulka ga waŋa wayuk. Nhe ŋuli dhagir’ marraŋ marrŋur Ŋarra’ŋur ga bulu Dalkarra ga Djirrikaywuŋ. 15. Do not speak against or in any way desecrate the Madayin bathi (this string bag represents the constitution, womb or body of the Madayin Law). It is the dhumul-mulka (crest and seal) and has the waŋa wayuk (acts of law which are a tangible record of the laws of the parliament). If you do this you will receive the full penalty sanctioned by the Ŋärra’ parliament and by the Dalkarra and Djirrikay political leaders.
17) Yaka worrk dhuŋgur’yurr wiripuŋuwal yirralkaŋur waŋaŋur dha- ŋanhamiriw. Nhe ŋuli bayarra walalany balanydja gurrupul.
19) Yaka nhe dhu djuwu’ gurrupan wiripuŋuny bapurruny ga riŋgitjnha dha-
20. You will not utilize the tools of sorcery or act with murderous intent to kill or inflict harm or try to put your hands upon any sacred objects of the Ŋarra’ Parliament. If you do this you will receive severe judicial punishment from the Dalkarra and Djirrikay political leaders. 21) Ŋuli nhe goŋ-bulmanmirr yaka gakal milkuŋ nhaŋiniŋ’kuny. Yuwalk yan 21. If you are of age and initiated into the law (signified by the right to carry a spear thrower) do not display an attitude of carelessness or act in an irresponsible manner. Act in accordance with your responsibilities of manhood.
22) Do not transgress the law by breaking the confidences told to you. Do not speak publicly concerning the restricted names which refer to our foundational law or to the restricted objects that symbolize our law. 23)Ŋuli dhu buwata dhawatthun borumŋu, wäŋa guwatjman marrtji. Yaka nhe dhu lay-dalthirr, ŋayaŋuy dhapinyay gurrupul ŋanya girri’ ga wiripu ŋula nhä balanydja, bili ŋunhiyiny nhokuŋ mulwatnha bala märrlil Ŋärra’lil. 23. When the time comes for collection of revenue for the Ŋärra Parliament, do not be selfish but give with a generous heart, because your payment of goods or other valuable items will add to the status and authority of the Ŋärra’ Parliament. (The last stage of the parliamentary procedure is signified by the ceremony associated with the appearance of Buwata (Plains Bustard). As this ceremony approaches the dwelling place of each family group, various item of value are handed to the officials of the Parliament. The collected revenue from all the people will be subsequently distributed to the member Bäpurru clans of the Riŋgitj nation state, and this will add to their sense of solidarity and unity within the Nation State alliance. ) 24) Bukmak bapurru ga riŋgitj ga matha mala dhu wana-lupthun |arra’ŋur, bayŋu dhu ŋula yol waŋgany yolŋu dhudi’yun. Yaka galŋa-midikuyaŋ Ŋärrany’, bili ŋunhi rom mägaya ga dhäpirrk. 24. All clans and Riŋgitj alliances and all language groups will wäna-lupthun (ceremonially assent to the law). No one is exempt from this requirement of law. Do not desecrate or defy the Ŋarra’ parliament, because due process of law has been followed to bring about peace and order consistent with our foundational law. 25) Ŋuli nhe dhu gärri wiripuŋuwal bäpurruwal yirralkalil ga ŋangi’yun ganguri walalaŋ ŋunhi dhulŋuŋur garulŋur, ŋurruŋuny ŋathil marrtji ga dha- ŋaku walalany, yurr dhuwal gam’, marraŋuny ŋathany ga balayi niyarrŋ’tja lamu-nhirrpulyi wiripuŋuw dhuŋgarraw. 25. If you are going to enter another clan’s estate and dig out yams from their Dhulŋu and Garul (areas for the propagation of root vegetable), first ask permission of that clan. Further to this, when you get the food replant the top shooting portion for harvest in future years. 26) Yaka miyapunu märraŋ wiripuŋuwal batpaŋur, dhä-ŋaku ŋathil ga yurrnha marraŋ. 26. Do not take marine turtles from another’s Batpa (the nurturing and harvesting area for turtles). Ask first before you take them. 27) Yaka guya mänŋu wiripuŋuwal marrandilŋur dhä-ŋanhamiriw, ŋaŋ’thurr ŋathil ŋurruŋuny. 27. Do not take fish from another’s Marrandil (fish breeding and conservation area) without permission. Ask first! 28) Yaka miyapunu märraŋ wiripuŋuwal mewiyalŋur, dhä-ŋaku ŋathil ŋurruŋuny bala yurrnha marraŋuny. 28. Do not take without permission turtle eggs from another’s mewiyal (hatchery area), Ask first before taking. 29) Yaka nhe dhu miyalk ga goŋ-yuta ga djamarrkuli gärri ga mel-ŋalyurr märrlil Ŋärra’lil, nhe ŋuli marilil gärri ŋalapalmirriwal, ga bulu nhe ŋuli maŋutji-maraŋgunhamirr gurrupul bäyarra ŋula nhän mulwatnha mak balanydjan. 29. Neither women nor children nor the uninitiated (in respect to that law) shall enter into or any way be familiar with the chamber or restricted surrounds of the Ŋärra’ parliament. If you do this you will incur the wrath of the elders and political leaders and bear the associated consequences. In addition you will be required to make recompense concerning your legal ability by the payment of valuable items.
31) Yaka nhe dhu galka-birrka’yun wiripuŋuny yolŋuny ga bapurruny ga riŋgitjnha ŋuli dhu ga bayŋuny dhudi-dhawu ŋorra ga maŋutji-marŋgi yolŋu dhu ga nhina.
32. Do not give a Matjapala legal contract to another Bäpurru clan or Riŋgitj nation state for an assassination or conducting a physical attack on another Bäpurru clan. An action like this would desecrate, striking at the very heart of the Madayin Law, the Ŋärra parliament and the foundational law (from the creation itself). Any person doing so will experience many troubles and receive sanctions at law declared and proclaimed from the foundation of the world. 33) Bukmak yuta djamarrkuli’, miyalk ga dirramu ŋunhi ga malŋ’thun dhiyal wäŋaŋur mälkmirr, bäpurru’mirr ga riŋgitjmirr, walal dhu marŋgithirr djalkiriw romgu ŋunhi ga maŋutji-lakaram mägaya rom ga burrmidi. 33. Everyone from birth who lives by the ways of our community kinship, clan laws and Rinŋgitj nation state laws, they shall learn the ways of the foundational laws of our society and display the way of peace and tranquility by their actions. 34) Yaka nhe dhu dirramuy märr madayin’mirriy galŋa-ŋayatham miyalknha ŋunhi ŋayi ga dhuyukurr romgurr marrtji, nhe balaŋ bäynha ŋayaŋu- midikuyaŋ ŋunha madayin djalkiri ŋunhi ga ŋorra ŋunha Ŋärra’ŋur romŋur. Bili walalaŋguny miyalkurruwurruŋguny rom mirithirr dharrpal, dhuyu ga madayin limurruŋgalnydja yolŋuwalnydja romŋur. 34. No man who has been made strong in his soul through the instruction of the Madayin Law should ever have an intimate relationship with a woman during her time of monthly holiness. Anyone who did would desecrate and offend the Madayin Law of the Ŋärra’ Parliament that has existed from the creation of the world. This is because women’s law is extremely sacred. It is holy and paramount to all of our Yolŋu Madayin Law. 35) Ŋunhi wäŋa yirralka ŋunhi goŋŋur bäpurru’bäpurruwal ga ŋula nhä mala ga ŋorra wäŋaŋur nhakun, ŋatha, borum, warrakan, mapu, ga guya, miyapunu ŋunhi ŋurikiyi bäpurruw malaw, yurr djinawa ŋaraka wäŋa mala ŋunhi ga ŋayatham riŋgitjthu malaŋuy yaka yan waŋganydhu ŋuriŋi bäpurruy, linygu ŋunhi djalkiri madayin ga ŋorra märrŋur riŋgitjŋur. 35. All the resources on a particular estate (of land and sea), including vegetable foods, fruits, animals and birds, eggs, fish and turtles ( all flora, fauna, aquatic life, soils and sands), belongs to the particular Bäpurru clan who holds ownership of that estate. However, the bedrock ownership (including all rocky protrusions) resides with the Riŋgitj clan nations not with the an individual Bäpurru clan, because the foundational Madayin Law abides in the heart and soul of the Riŋgitj clan nation. (A Riŋgitj clan nation or nation state is made up of several Bäpurru Clans which own separate yirralka clan estates) 36) Ŋuli nhe nhä bidila’kuŋal ŋula nhä mak nhe wana-monuŋu yolŋu, yaka walu buŋu, bondi wandi bala mulka’lil wäŋalil, walal nhunany dhu dapmaram romdhu dhirratjay märr nhe dhu galkunmirr romgu bäyarraw. 36. If you breach or desecrated the law in anyway, for example if you have physically assaulted someone, do not delay, go quickly as you can to a Mulka Wäŋa, a safe proclaimed haven, where, within they can arrest you and place you under the protective authority of the law to await the full reconciliation process of the law (in a form of protective custody).
37. All clans people should wait for the name of the deceased person to be announced through the process of the announcement by the bilma clapsticks. Do not pronounce the name of the deceased until something like one or two years have past. Do not disrespect the law of the Ŋärra’ parliament. 38) Yaka gärri wiripuŋuwal bunbulil läy-ŋarr’ŋarr nhokiyingal nhe ŋayaŋuy dhä-ŋänhamiriw, nhe dhu ŋayaŋu-midikuman Ŋärrany’ ga madayin djalkiri. 38. Do not trespass on or enter of your own will without permission into someone else’s premises. If you do you will offend the Ŋärra’ parliament and the foundational Madayin law.
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