Gandayala

Gandayala, the red kangaroo, is an important Creation Ancestor connected to Ramingining and the surrounding Country.

The Gandayala/Garrtjambal story tells of the ancestral red kangaroo travelling from the Roper River in the south through Arnhem Land. As he travelled across Country, he stopped at many places, naming and shaping important sites along his journey.

When Gandayala reached the area now known as Ramingining, he ate a particular yam. Through this experience, his language changed to Djardewitjibi, the language associated with this Country. He continued his journey, naming places and leaving his presence within the landscape before travelling onwards towards Milingimbi.

Today, a number of important sites around Ramingining remain connected to Gandayala and his journey. Some of these places are associated with different parts of his body, reflecting the deep relationship between ancestral beings, Country, language and place.