Tracking Dinosaurs

The Goolarabooloo people are the knowledge holders and custodians of the Northern Tradition Songlines around Broome, knowledge that has been passed down through the generations. We share with you the deep connection we have to the songlines and their cultural importance.

Hear stories of Marala, the Emu Man, was the ‘lawgiver,’ and instilled in country the codes of conduct for behaviour needed to help ensure its well-being, and there are numerous Bugarregarre stories and parts of stories in which he features. In the process of moving through the Song Cycle from south to north, as well as in and out of the sea, Marala left behind three-toed tracks. He also left behind the grooved impressions of his tail feathers (his ‘ramu’ or ceremonial engravings) when he sat down to rest and create his law ground.

Today, three-toed dinosaur tracks (typically those assigned to Megalosauropus broomensis) and impressions of cycad-like bennettitaleans (Marala’s tail feather impressions and ramu) are seen as testimony to Marala’s journey as narrated in the Song Cycle.

A concentration of Megalosauropus broomensis tracks at a Song Cycle place on Cable Beach is also known as Maralagun (place of Marala). Marala’s tracks at Minyirr (Gantheaume Point) and Reddell Beach are referred to in a number of Bugarrigarra stories, some of which are publicly known, others of which are known only to a restricted number of people.