Widjabul Wia-bal Jugan

'That place, Nimbin Rocks, is a burial place of our tribal elders, the law-givers [and of wiyin-gali, clever man)'


Excerpt from My Bundjalung People.

Widjabul Wia-bal Jugan

For the Original Custodians, Nimbin has always been a sacred place of learning and transformation.

The valley where the village now lies was the gathering place of many, with the Nimbin Rocks to the south for men’s business and places to the north and east for women’s business. The Rocks are monolithic fragments from the Wollumbin Mount Warning Volcano that erupted approximately 20 million years ago and are of great cultural significance to the traditional owners of the Bundjalung nation. These significant landmarks are regarded as sacred sites of initiation and higher learning by the Original people. Access is restricted to the public, but you can check out the Rocks from the viewing area 2kms south of the village.

The Aquarius festival was one of the first occasions in Australia where indigenous custodianship was acknowledged, with organisers seeking approval from local Elders before proceeding. The festival opened with Australia’s first ‘Welcome to Country’ in language by the last lore man of the Widjiabul Wia-bal people. Many of our famous murals feature Dreamtime images from local Widjabul Wia-bal artists.

Nimbin and its surrounding ranges are rich with stories reaching back to the Dreamtime, and is known as the resting place of Warrajum, the rainbow serpent, and a place of healing and initiation.

The word Nimbin comes from the legend of the Nimbinjee people who are also the totem of the local Wia-bal tribe. The ancient sleeping warrior of the Nightcap Range still lies in watch over the village, like the famous Nimbin Rocks, which are now under the custodianship of the Bundjalung people.

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