Leonie Norrington grew up in Southern Arnhem Land. Her family was adopted by David Blanasi and Clare Bush. Clare’s sisters introduced Leonie to three holders of the pre-colonial stories of Macassan traders visiting their community. These three supervised the writing and editing of this novel.

The Yolngu people still live on Country and engage in its pre-colonial narratives of identity, belonging, and relationships. Norrington’s adopted mum, Clare, believed that through this narrative, different cultures could come to understand and respect each other. This is a story about good and bad people of any colour.

The novel comes alive from oral history pre-Captain Cook as a young girl is kidnapped by a Macassan captain of traders coming from Indonesia and Timor for the lucrative sea cucumbers that the Yolngu clans do not eat.

Most traders are fair, giving them rice, axes, and tobacco. But Zayd, a despicable paedophile, and his crew, ply them with strong alcohol and mix opium into the tobacco. So, the clan works harder and longer for these rewards, but are useless when they need to fight.

Zayd and his crew plan to kidnap and rape Garritji and Lingiyara, virgins preparing for their marriages. Grandmother Batjani uses her skills to try and protect them. But Waditju, influenced by the alcohol and opium, joins the dark side and aids the kidnappers. The suspense throughout is whether the girls are saved. The piece of red cloth the foreigners wear around their waist plays a pivotal part in the ensuing drama. As does the ability of the Yolngu clan to merge into their totems, as dolphins or seagulls, if needed.

The sensuous description of Country and of Yolngu rituals and Laws contrast with the chaos the foreigners bring. As Waditju does Zayd’s bidding, Zayd says, ‘He’s almost human’, but the message is strong that no culture is more superior or ‘civilised’ than another.

A memorable read.

Reviewed by Judith Grace

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Leonie Norrington is a multi-award-winning north Australian author who grew up in the Barunga community in Arnhem Land. She writes for children and adults in both fiction and non-fiction. Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Djawa Burarrwanga and Djawundil Maymuru are Yolŋu cultural custodians. Merrkiyawuy and Djawundil are co-authors of Welcome to My Country and Songspirals.