muriyira - whales of eurobodalla
Muriyira
Thank you to the Mason family and the djaadjawan dancers, Walbunja Custodians of the land on which the story was filmed. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Special thanks: Aunty Vivienne Mason, Sharon Mason, Arwyn Landini, Ashweeni Mason, Arianna Landini and Megan Patten. Artwork credit: Natalie Bateman
Walawaani Muriyira – Welcome Whales
The Sacred Story of Muriyira
The annual migration of whales, Muriyira, is a significant event for the traditional Walbunja people of the Yuin Nation in Eurobodalla.
For countless generations, families have carried their cultural knowledge, stories of Country and their sacred songlines, Muriyira is one. More than a migration, the passing of the whales through Sea Country is a story of great connection, belonging, family and spirit. It is a story that reminds us of the deep relationship between people, animals, sacred places, and the lands and waters of Gadu (ocean).
As the whales journey along the coast through Sea Country, the Mason family of Narooma, Walbunja Country share their sacred connection to Muriyira. The whale holds deep significance as a family totem passed down through generations. The presence of Muriyira is embraced as a spiritual relationship to ancestors and loved ones who have passed, a journey that follows an ancient songline.
Local Walbunja Elder Aunty Vivienne Mason shares:
“Songlines are a connection to spiritual places and they connect us all around the country. They’re pretty special. We don’t talk about them much because that’s something that’s sacred to us but they’re our connection to country and they’re our guidelines. It’s pretty important that we keep a strong connection to the songlines so that we don’t wander off and get lost.”
As we welcome visitors to this remarkable region, there is an opportunity to look beyond the landscape and develop a deeper understanding of place, and culture in the Eurobodalla. The story of Muriyira invites us to remain curious, to walk together and appreciate the enduring cultural connections between people, land and sea that have shaped this Country for thousands of years.
Through practices of storytelling and dance, these cultural practices are celebrated and shared, revealing a connection with these majestic creatures that remains strong across generations.
In partnership with the Mason family, Blackfisch and We Are Explorers, join us on a journey into a world of connection, Country and culture in Eurobodalla through the lens of Muriyira.
Walawaani, welcome whales.
Connection
Aunty Vivienne Mason, local Narooma Walbunja elder proudly shares her generational connection to Eurobodalla country and the significance of the whales to her family and culture.
Aunty Vivienne is a custodian of the whale songline, the whale dance and holds significant ancestry to Muriyira.
“Songlines are a connection to spiritual places and they connect us all around the country. They’re pretty special. We don’t talk about them much because that’s something that’s sacred to us but they’re our connection to country and they’re our guidelines. It’s pretty important that we keep a strong connection to the songlines so that we don’t wander off and get lost.”
Environment and nature also play a central role in the spiritual lives of the Walbunja people, and their connection as saltwater people.
Vivienne’s daughter, Sharon Mason explains;
“We forget about the animals and our sea animals and how intelligent and how connected we are. Not only us as blackfellas but all of us as human beings have a connection to everything that’s around us.”
Country
Eurobodalla is a special country. For the Walbunja people, Eurobodalla holds many sacred sites and spiritually significant places.
As Aunty Vivienne tells us, Eurobodalla is a bountiful region of extraordinary beauty that has provided and nurtured her people. And that bounty is still providing for the people today.
She reminds us that, regardless of race, we all have a connection to our country. It’s something you don’t lose.
“It’s within you, and it’s up to you to find it.”
Culture
The Walbunja people have shared their sacred family whale dance. It’s known as a calling to the whales.
Sharon Mason reveals that the dance and song was created by her mother Vivienne.
“It’s close to our hearts.”
The dance is an intimate, sacred cultural celebration reserved mostly for ceremonial occasions with other big mobs. It is performed by the Djaadjawan Dancers.
Djaadjawan means “sand” in the local dhurga language.
Ashweeni Mason describes the meaning behind the movements in the dance. She explains how the dance is calling the whales in, welcoming them as they pass through gadu (ocean) country. The dance concludes with a farewell to the whales as they continue on their journey south, some with new life, their babies.
“Before colonisation, we would have done songs and dances like that on the headland to welcome them in.
“To be a part of the revitalisation of that with my family, it’s so special, so lucky.”
learn more about Walbunja culture, whales, and whale watching
The whale migration passes through the waters of Eurobodalla every year. From around June, the whales rush north toward the warm south pacific ocean waters to breed.
They return southward after breeding and travel back to colder waters, passing through Eurobodalla from around August to early November each year. The southern migration brings the mothers and calves much closer to the coast, so it is often easy to spot them from a well positioned headland.
Read about some of the best whale watching spots reviewed by We Are Explorers.
If you want to get up close, then book on a whale watching tour with a charter boat or kayak tour. Charters are available from Narooma and Batemans Bay.
Cultural Tours
Take a deep dive into indigenous culture with immersive experiences delivered by local tour operators.
South Coast Seaweed
Join a seaweed foraging tour with Yuin man James Thomas and co-founder Sarah Gorst, Gamilaraay woman and Ocean Therapy Practitioner. Learn more.
Muladha Gumara
Cultural education, Language revival, cultural tourism, traditional dance and ceremony and mentoring for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander individuals, their families and the broader community. Learn more.
Nar-OO-ma Aboriginal Cultural Tours
A proudly Aboriginal owned and operated business, employing local Indigenous people sharing their traditional knowledge of the region. Offering a range of tours throughout Narooma’s idyllic Wagonga inlet. Learn more.
Minga Aboriginal Cultural Services
A 100% Aboriginal owned company offering a range of services including guided cultural and educational tours, workshops, and culture awareness training. Learn more.
Southbound Escapes
A range of authentic, transformational experiences highlighting the importance of “Country” and how to look after it for future generations. Learn more.
