STARS
In the Dreamtime Buwarraja when everything came to "still" and changed from the Spiritual to the present day natural world, the shadows of the Spiritual People went up into the stars. In particular the major Spiritual Ancestors went into the black spaces in the Milky Way, Bowonin.
Nardi, Dungdung and Rainbow Gorrondolmi, look down every night to see how we are caring for the land.
Click on Read More & Resources for full video transcripts and further research.
Yidumduma's encyclopaedic knowledge is fully revealed in his remarkable Wardaman Astronomy book with Dr. Hugh Cairns, Dark Sparklers 2003. Following the publication of this work Yidumduma's star knowledge was given recognition in scientific circles. In 2009 Yidumduma starred on Australian National TV, ABC's Message Stick program Before Galileo. The same year CSIRO astrophysicist, Ray Norris invited Yidumduma to present with him at the Darwin Festival. Further, Yidumduma has achieved international acclaim fostered by the wonderful work of Cultural Astronomy Professor Duane Hamacher. See Star Names & Asteroid Names
Aboriginal Skies
Inspired by Dark Sparklers the Director developed this show in collaboration with Colorado University Astronomy Professor, Dr. John Stocke. Presented for over 15 years at Colorado's Fiske Planetarium, this show has been endorsed and co-presented with both Yidumduma and Dr. Cairns. The Director has presented at planetariums in UW Laramie WY, UN Omaha NE, Casper WY, and regularly in Adelaide SA.
Before Galileo: Star Law of Bill Harney
Before Galileo, ABC Message Stick Episode 2009, featuring just the Wardaman Aboriginal Star Law of Yidumduma Bill Harney. Used by the YDP Dreaming Project with permission of ABC TV.
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Before Galileo
ABC Message Stick Episode
This program from 2009 looks at the ways in which western science intersects with Aboriginal Cosmology, leading us to a deeper understanding of the night sky, gained by learning the practical pointers of the constellations and the guiding spirits that occupy the dark nebulae in between.
Used with permission of ABC TV.
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Moon & Possum Story
National Public Radio NPR podcast of YDP Director Paul Taylor, sharing this Wardaman Aboriginal story with permission of Yidumduma Bill Harney, featuring NPR's Caroline Ballard. May 2016. 12 mins.
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Under the Stars
Yidumduma discusses his star culture around the campfire with outstanding Australian actor and presenter Ernie Dingo. Bill talks of listening to the Elders, travelling by the stars, the map in the night, the giant Emu, the Southern Cross and Pointers, linking to the landscape, totems, creation and the Dreaming. Segment used with permission from CAAMA Productions series Talking Languages with Ernie Dingo. www.caama.com.au/productions
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Four Aboriginal Stars Formally Recognised
"Four stars in the night sky have been formally recognised by their Australian Aboriginal names.
The names include three from the Wardaman people of the Northern Territory and one from
the Boorong people of western Victoria. The Wardaman star names are Larawag, Wurren and
Ginan in the Western constellations Scorpius, Phoenix and Crux (the Southern Cross). The
Boorong star name is Unurgunite in Canis Majoris (the Great Dog)." Article by Duane Hamacher.
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Asteroids Named in Honor of Indigenous Australians
Five asteroids have been named after two Indigenous elders, two Indigenous academics and a Torres Strait island community for their significant contributions to Aboriginal astronomy. Dr Duane Hamacher has lobbied the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to honour the contributions of Uncle Segar Passi, his Meriam community, and three others including Professor Martin Nakata, Professor Marcia Langton, and senior Wardaman elder Uncle Bill Yidumduma Harney.
Read More 1: "Asteroids named in honour of Indigenous Australians"
Read More 2 : "From 7809 Marcialangton to 7630 Yidumduma"
The First Astronomers, Bill Harney with Ray Norris, Darwin Festival 2009
The First Astronomers was one of the acclaimed hits of the 2009 Darwin Festival. Featuring two great characters, senior custodian of the Wardman people, Bill Yidumduma Harney and CSIRO astrophysicst Ray Norris explore their separate yet hauntingly similar notions of the question: who were the first astronomers?
Related Links: Aboriginal art aims for sky
