Marrtji Gurrumarrtji Mapu (Goose Egg Hunt)

The Songline:

Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land originate from a spiritual source, fixed in a particular place in their land or the sea. These ‘Spiritual Reservoirs’ are often in the form of special waterholes made by Wangarr (Creative Beings) long ago close to the beginning of time.

The creator beings moved across the country side, shaping the land and implanting in each tract of country, the spiritual life force for the people who were to own it. These Creative Spirits took many forms. When they gave the land to each group they also gave songs, dances, ceremony, the associated laws and language. The Creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land.

The Marrtji Gurrumarrtji Mapu (Goose Egg Hunt) songline belongs to the Ganalbingu family and is only performed during important occasions such as bapurru (funerals) and birthing ceremonies. In the birthing ceremony, the eggs are given to the new mother to eat once the ceremony has concluded. This ritual is performed so that the baby will be healthy and not have sores on their body.

As girls become women, they are not allowed to eat the magpie goose or their eggs during their cycle.

Living on Country:

Yolngu traditionally hunted for magpie goose eggs as part of their seasonal food gathering practices. During the wet season, when the floodplains were teeming with life, they would venture into the shallow wetlands where magpie geese nested. Using their deep knowledge of the land and animal behaviour, Yolngu located nests and carefully collected the eggs, ensuring they left enough behind to sustain the population. This sustainable practice reflected their profound respect for the environment and its cycles, maintaining a balance between harvesting resources and conserving them for future generations.