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Mel?urr Gapu Dhularrpa Gawiya Raypirri ?ärra’?ur 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 ?aymil Gampurrtji, ?aymil Bulkmana, ?aymil Dätiwuy and ?aymil Gondarra clan nations. It was provided to the guests attending the ?ärra’ at Galiwinku on the 3rd of September, 2005. Authorised by: Nupurra, Gawiya, Dhularrpa, Garriyak ?aymil Gamburrtji, Dar’miny, Yanmala. Bulukmana, Yaluwitji?u, ?uywarrambarr. Gondarra, YarrayarrGuyuwu. ?aymil Dätiwuy, Birrwa?a, Djurdjur?aGalarrbu?bu? 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 ?ärra’ (the Parliamentary and Judicial sacred chamber of law). These words are from the ?urr?gitj (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 bu?u yol?uny murrkay'ku?. Nhe dhu marram dhagir'yunawuy, bayarra rom ?unhi marr?ur ?ärra’?ur 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 ?ärra' court, which is also sanctioned by the whole Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 2 a) ?uli nhe wana-monu?u yol?u, nheny ?athil dhu djirrwa’yun dhärra akarrata, bäyarra nhunapinya nhe wana, ga bäyarra romnha ?ärrany’ 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 ?ärrra Court and the foundational laws of (Yol?u) society. ) b) ?uli bäy?uny Makarrata nheny dhu bäyarra ?ula nhaliy mulwatthu ?unhi a dhawatthun rom?ur madayin’?ur, nhoku? 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 mana?i ?ula nha wiripu?uw yol?uw walala?. 3) Do not steal anything belonging to any other persons 4) Yaka nhe dhu mel-dhara?an ?ula nhä mala wiripu?uw yol?uw walala?. 4) You will not desire jealously anything belonging to others 5) Yaka marramba’yi gurrutu yätjkurruw yol?uw miyalkku ga dirramuw, nhe dhägir’yunawuy rom?ur ?ärra’?ur ga bulu gurrutumirriwu?. 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 ?ärra' court and which is sanctioned by the whole of Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 6) Yaka gal?a-?ayathul ?ula yolnha yol?uny ?unhi dhu?garra nyumukuniny’mirriny, nhe ?uli yindi dhägir’ märra? rom?ur ?ärra’?ur ga gurrutumirriwu?. 6) Do not have sexual relations with any juvenile, or you will receive severe judicial punishment from the ?ärra’ Court which is also sanctioned by the whole of Yolngu society and by the aggrieved family 7) Yaka miyalkku? gurrutuny yapany ga ma?utjiya?. Dhuwaliyiny rom ?unhi yatjkurr mirithirr, yatjkurr gurrurruk mirithirr. Nhe ?uli dhagir' marra? rom?ur ?ärra?ur. 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 ?ärra. 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 wa?i worru’wurru?uw miyalkku ga dirramuw. b) Yaka bi?dharr’yurr walalany, bili ?unhiyiny yol?u walal ?unhi walal ga ?ayathaman Djirrikay ga Dalkarra, ga bulu walal ga ?ayatham 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 ?ärra’ Parliament, and the foundational Madayin Law, established from the creation of the world. 14) Yaka nyal’yurr lakara? ga marilil gärrinyamara? wiripuny yol?uny. 14. Do not make false statements that cause trouble for others. 15) Yaka warku’yurr ga gulkthurr madayin bathi ?unhi dhulmu-mulka ga wa?a wayuk. Nhe ?uli dhagir’ marra? marr?ur ?arra’?ur ga bulu Dalkarra ga Djirrikaywu?. 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 wa?a 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 ?ärra’ parliament and by the Dalkarra and Djirrikay political leaders.
17) Yaka worrk dhu?gur’yurr wiripu?uwal yirralka?ur wa?a?ur dha- ?anhamiriw. Nhe ?uli bayarra walalany balanydja gurrupul.
19) Yaka nhe dhu djuwu’ gurrupan wiripu?uny bapurruny ga ri?gitjnha 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 ?arra’ Parliament. If you do this you will receive severe judicial punishment from the Dalkarra and Djirrikay political leaders. 21) ?uli nhe go?-bulmanmirr yaka gakal milku? nha?ini?’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)?uli dhu buwata dhawatthun borum?u, wä?a guwatjman marrtji. Yaka nhe dhu lay-dalthirr, ?aya?uy dhapinyay gurrupul ?anya girri’ ga wiripu ?ula nhä balanydja, bili ?unhiyiny nhoku? mulwatnha bala märrlil ?ärra’lil. 23. When the time comes for collection of revenue for the ?ärra 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 ?ärra’ 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 Ri?gitj nation state, and this will add to their sense of solidarity and unity within the Nation State alliance. ) 24) Bukmak bapurru ga ri?gitj ga matha mala dhu wana-lupthun |arra’?ur, bay?u dhu ?ula yol wa?gany yol?u dhudi’yun. Yaka gal?a-midikuya? ?ärrany’, bili ?unhi rom mägaya ga dhäpirrk. 24. All clans and Ri?gitj 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 ?arra’ parliament, because due process of law has been followed to bring about peace and order consistent with our foundational law. 25) ?uli nhe dhu gärri wiripu?uwal bäpurruwal yirralkalil ga ?angi’yun ganguri walala? ?unhi dhul?u?ur garul?ur, ?urru?uny ?athil marrtji ga dha- ?aku walalany, yurr dhuwal gam’, marra?uny ?athany ga balayi niyarr?’tja lamu-nhirrpulyi wiripu?uw dhu?garraw. 25. If you are going to enter another clan’s estate and dig out yams from their Dhul?u 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 märra? wiripu?uwal batpa?ur, dhä-?aku ?athil ga yurrnha marra?. 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 män?u wiripu?uwal marrandil?ur dhä-?anhamiriw, ?a?’thurr ?athil ?urru?uny. 27. Do not take fish from another’s Marrandil (fish breeding and conservation area) without permission. Ask first! 28) Yaka miyapunu märra? wiripu?uwal mewiyal?ur, dhä-?aku ?athil ?urru?uny bala yurrnha marra?uny. 28. Do not take without permission turtle eggs from another’s mewiyal (hatchery area), Ask first before taking. 29) Yaka nhe dhu miyalk ga go?-yuta ga djamarrkuli gärri ga mel-?alyurr märrlil ?ärra’lil, nhe ?uli marilil gärri ?alapalmirriwal, ga bulu nhe ?uli ma?utji-mara?gunhamirr gurrupul bäyarra ?ula 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 ?ärra’ 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 wiripu?uny yol?uny ga bapurruny ga ri?gitjnha ?uli dhu ga bay?uny dhudi-dhawu ?orra ga ma?utji-mar?gi yol?u dhu ga nhina.
32. Do not give a Matjapala legal contract to another Bäpurru clan or Ri?gitj 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 ?ärra 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 ?unhi ga mal?’thun dhiyal wä?a?ur mälkmirr, bäpurru’mirr ga ri?gitjmirr, walal dhu mar?githirr djalkiriw romgu ?unhi ga ma?utji-lakaram mägaya rom ga burrmidi. 33. Everyone from birth who lives by the ways of our community kinship, clan laws and Rin?gitj 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 gal?a-?ayatham miyalknha ?unhi ?ayi ga dhuyukurr romgurr marrtji, nhe bala? bäynha ?aya?u- midikuya? ?unha madayin djalkiri ?unhi ga ?orra ?unha ?ärra’?ur rom?ur. Bili walala?guny miyalkurruwurru?guny rom mirithirr dharrpal, dhuyu ga madayin limurru?galnydja yol?uwalnydja rom?ur. 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 ?ärra’ 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 Yol?u Madayin Law. 35) ?unhi wä?a yirralka ?unhi go??ur bäpurru’bäpurruwal ga ?ula nhä mala ga ?orra wä?a?ur nhakun, ?atha, borum, warrakan, mapu, ga guya, miyapunu ?unhi ?urikiyi bäpurruw malaw, yurr djinawa ?araka wä?a mala ?unhi ga ?ayatham ri?gitjthu mala?uy yaka yan wa?ganydhu ?uri?i bäpurruy, linygu ?unhi djalkiri madayin ga ?orra märr?ur ri?gitj?ur. 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 Ri?gitj clan nations not with the an individual Bäpurru clan, because the foundational Madayin Law abides in the heart and soul of the Ri?gitj clan nation. (A Ri?gitj clan nation or nation state is made up of several Bäpurru Clans which own separate yirralka clan estates) 36) ?uli nhe nhä bidila’ku?al ?ula nhä mak nhe wana-monu?u yol?u, yaka walu bu?u, bondi wandi bala mulka’lil wä?alil, 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 Wä?a, 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 ?ärra’ parliament. 38) Yaka gärri wiripu?uwal bunbulil läy-?arr’?arr nhokiyingal nhe ?aya?uy dhä-?änhamiriw, nhe dhu ?aya?u-midikuman ?ärrany’ 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 ?ärra’ parliament and the foundational Madayin law.
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