Australia

Between nature and culture: the heritage of the Martuwarra River

The Martuwarra Fitzroy River has historically been managed by Indigenous Nations employing distinctive hydro-technologies. Today, it stands as Western Australia's largest Aboriginal cultural heritage site, holding national heritage status.

Aboriginal people maintain a deep connection with water, as shown by expressions such as 'Yi-Martuwarra' ('I belong to the River'). The Council of Elders asserts the right that the river embodies sacred ancestral serpent beings that are at the center of the universe and have the right to flow. This worldview is in stark contrast to Western notions of property and paradigms of over-exploitation.

The Martuwarra Council actively promotes regenerative culture and tourism economies of well-being that preserve the River and counter the increasing threats of unsustainable extractions of resources that disregard the sacredness of Nature.

Courtesy of:
Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council.
Copyright: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.
Drawings: Gabriele Melegari

Gallery

From left to right (above):

1 – A view from above of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River, which stretches for more than 700 kilometres in the Kimberley region, Western Australia. It is a large, free-flowing river system, home to one of the world's most important ecosystems in the world.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

2 – The Martuwarra River (Fitzroy in English) is a natural resource of outstanding importance, renowned for its rich biodiversity and valuable fish fauna, which provides a precious source of sustenance for the Aboriginal people living along its banks.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

3 - The Martuwarra Fitzroy River basin is a natural area of major importance for Australia, both environmentally and culturally. This artwork depicts the course of the river, flanked by totem animals linked to the worldview of Aboriginal communities. Nature and culture are deeply interconnected for indigenous communities: it’s a worldview deeply linked to sustainability.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

4 – The Aboriginal people of Western Australia have a deep connection with the Martuwarra river, which represents a sacred entity in which the entire community recognizes itself. The expression “Yi-Martuwarra” (“I belong to the River”) sums up this strong harmonious connection with the spiritual realm which has a huge impact on the real world.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

From left to right (below):

5 – The ecological importance of the Martuwarra basin is represented, among other features, by the abundant vegetation along the banks and in the areas surrounding the river. This natural heritage has been preserved by an ancestral worldview which closely connects humans with all animal species, ensuring remarkable biodiversity for the river.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

6 – The Martuwarra's water regime changes over time due to natural water cycles. Flooding occurs during the rainy seasons, creating wetlands and widening the river's course. Then there are periods of drought, when the Martuwarra shrinks and is fed by groundwater, which is essential for the survival of animals and fish species.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

7 – The artwork depicts Martuwarra, according to the worldview conceived by the Aborigines: the river embodies the ‘sacred ancestral serpent beings’ that are at the center of the universe and have the right to flow. Thanks to their flow, life is guaranteed and supported in all its forms.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.

8 – The Aboriginal people, true guardians of the liquid memory and customs linked to the Martuwarra, are active to protect the river from abuse and intensive exploitation of its waters, by maintaining and transmitting ancestral practices. To this end, the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council of elders has established itself as a bastion for the defense of the river.
© Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council. Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights.