Something About Emus

The emu is an iconic Australian bird that holds special importance for all Australians, especially for Indigenous Australians who have shared a close connection with this curious creature for thousands of years. This colourful and easy-to-understand book, titled ‘Something about Emus’, includes the stories and knowledge of senior members of the Bininj Gunwok language group from Kakadu National Park and Western Arnhem Land. The book goes beyond just explaining the biology and environment of emus – it also explores their role in art, stories, music, traditional ceremonies, and the special bonds between people and animals. While more people are recognising the value of Indigenous ecological knowledge as part of Australia’s cultural history, much of this rich knowledge is mainly shared in Indigenous languages, which are still not widely understood outside their communities.