Kinga, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a highly respected and feared animal, associated with many Dreaming sites in Arnhem Land. In the past it was also hunted for food....
Kinga, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a highly respected and feared animal, associated with many Dreaming sites in Arnhem Land. In the past it was also hunted for food. Kinga can travel in salt water or fresh water, and often travel long distances between river systems. Kinga make their nests in the long grass or forest areas close to rivers, billabongs and water holes. These are piles of mud and vegetation where they lay their eggs. They are very aggressive around their nests. Kinga are often depicted alongside their prey such as namarnkol (barramundi).
Naw kinga nakka nabang mayh, minj karrikilekme karriborrkbun wardi kanbaye kanbun karridowen. Karriwern karrikengeme bininj dja mayh warridj dja bu korroko nahni mayh king birringuni dja Djang warridj ngadberre kadjangdi kore kubolkwern kunred ngadberre. Kinga nungan mayh kayawan kangun kare kore kurrula dia kare kore kubowinku kukku. Kinga karedmarnbun kore kungarre kurralk kore kukku darnkih djengkeh kamarnbun wanjh wirllarrk kawirllarkngukdeng dja darnkih kayiyo nawu wirllarrk. Bu ngiredyikan darnkih kore wirllarrk kahyo nuye wanjh ngunbaye ngunbun.
The king has been painted in the classic Kunwinjku "x-ray" style, with internal organs showing, which indicates its game rather than totem.
Naw artist bimbom Kinga. Kinga nakka nabang mayh karriwern karrikengeme bininj dja mayh warridj dja bu korroko nahni mah king birringuni dja Djang warridj ngadberre kadjangdi kore kubolkwern kunred ngadberre Naw bininj yika kabirribimbun djenj dja king dorrengh nakka wanjh mayh nuye naw djenj bu kabun kangun Kinga nakka estuarine crocodile karohrok bu karringeybun saltwater crocodile naw karringalke kore mankabo manwanjdjad kore kukku kubowinjku dja kore kurrula saltwater kore Western Arnhem Land kore artist kahni Naw namarnkol barramundi nakka wanjh nawernhkuken djenj ngadberre kore Top End bu ngarrimang nakimuk yika nayahwurd bu ngarringun Namarnkol barramundi karrinan kore kurrula saltwater dja kore kubowinku kukku freshwater kore mankabo dja manwanjdjad namarnkol kangun djenj kilekilelh dja kunbak dja wakih nawu kukkuwaken kayo kore kukku kubowinjku Nawu mayh dja mandem bendjarrkbimbom kore durra mandem manbu manme bininj bu ngarringun dja mak mah dja mayhmayh bu ngarridjarrkngun manbu mandem waterlily.