Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners

The Adnyamathanha people are the traditional owners of the Flinders Ranges where Moonarie is located. Adnyamathanha means ‘Rock People’ in the Adnyamathana language.

The Adnyamathanha lands lie on the west banks of Lake Frome and extend south and west over the northern Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and northwards over the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park. On the northern edges of the Adnyamathanha tribal lands are the Diyari lands, on the western edges are the Kokatha lands. To the south are the Barngarla, Nukunu, and Ngadjuri. To the east are the Malyangapa.

In 2016 Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park was renamed from Flinders Ranges National Park in recognition of its Adnyamathanha heritage. The word ‘ikara’ means “meeting place” in Adnyamathanha language, and refers in this instance to Wilpena Pound, a traditional meeting place of the Adnyamathanha people.

The Importance of Land

“Land is very important to Aboriginal people with the common belief of ‘we don’t own the land, the land owns us’. Aboriginal people have always had a spiritual connection to their land.

Land to Aboriginal people is a major part of their identity and spirituality. They have a connection and sense of belonging to their land. They gain their strength through their land. Many believe this is because old ancestors were buried in their country and the spirits protect and care for the land and those still alive.”

In my few engagements with the generous and welcoming Adnyamathanha traditional owners, they have stressed the importance of respecting the land and caring for it. This care and respect for the land resonates with me and most people I know who climb and visit Moonarie. If you have visited Moonarie before, then I believe that you will understand how beautiful and special the place is and leave the place as you found it, taking only memories.

If you are visiting Moonarie for the first time then I encourage you to take some time to appreciate and take in the atmosphere and the beauty.

A key concern of the Traditional Owners is people being injured or killed on their lands. This might be difficult to understand for the layman but it is a serious matter for the Adnyamathanha people. They experience a significant amount of grief and sorrow when there is a death or injury on their lands.

I find that climbers are careful and methodical in their nature and those who come to Moonarie are generally well prepared, fit and experienced. Sometimes accidents do happen but we must exercise the utmost care to prevent injuries and deaths, and if the unthinkable happens then the ability to self rescue is essential.

Welcome to Country Ceremony

One way to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the Adnyamathanha beliefs and stories is to attend the nightly Welcome to Country ceremony held at 6pm every night in Wilpena pound (15km from Moonarie).

Climbing at Moonarie is a great privilege so please respect the land and the traditional owners’ beliefs and traditions.

Sources: Wikipedia, Marion Kickett’s PHD thesis