Nyinyikay homeland is situated on Arnhem Bay, East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.
Nyinyikay’s cultural education and immersion programs provide a unique cross-cultural opportunity for non-Indigenous visitors to gain insight into traditional Indigenous Australian culture.
Visitors will have the opportunity to share in the daily life of Yolngu family members and develop awareness of the knowledge and skills of traditional Aboriginal culture. They will participate in activities including collecting and cooking foods such as shellfish, mud crabs, fish, yams, turtle eggs, bush honey and other hunting activities with the men.
The men will discover the art of recognising termite hollowed out trees and preparing these to create a yidaki (didgeridoo). They will participate in activities such as the skill of making bilma wooden clap sticks to accompany traditional dance and music. They will learn how to make their own galpu spear thrower.
The women will work with the family’s senior and skilled weavers experiencing the process of preparing pandanus leaves, dying these with natural dyes and using them to make woven objects.
Visitors will also hear about the ancestral stories and history of Nyinyikay including their connection and interaction with the Macasssan people from Sulawesi over a period of 600 years.
Tours available
Crossing Country - Yolŋu Dhukarr
The Crossing Country Tour has all the makings of a genuine adventure in culture, visiting one of a selection of remote Yolŋu homelands. The tour is suitable for all ages, and we welcome families with children to share in this life changing experience. Not only will you participate in a variety of cultural programs and activities, but you will cross a diversity of incredible landscapes during the tour. This tour will give you an understanding of Yolŋu culture, and the Yolŋu peoples’ connection to land and sea.
Become part of a small Yolŋu community and be made to feel like part of the family, take part in daily activities and make lasting friendships. Learn about Yolŋu kinship, traditional lore and language, both spoken and sign. Throughout your visit you will participate in any number of activities from weaving to traditional spear fishing, gathering of bush foods and medicine, to dance (Bunggul), storytelling or learning how the Yidaki (didjeridu) is made and played.
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