New book explores the plants of the Burrup and preserves knowledge of the Murujuga

The unique environment and living knowledge of the Murujuga has been preserved for future generations in a new book. The work, Living Knowledge: The Plants of Murujuga, explores the traditional uses of a vast collection of plants. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, with funding assistance from the Pluto Joint Venture, organised the project. It began in 2008 when heritage surveys were conducted for Woodside’s Pluto LNG facilities after traditional custodians requested that the company conduct studies into traditional uses of plants in the area. Two further surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2011 with the support of Woodside. Five traditional custodian groups — the Yaburara, Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Mardudhunera and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo — participated in fieldwork and the sharing of knowledge for the book. Over the past year, the results of the surveys have been collated, and the book was published this month. Local botanist Vicki Long said the arid landscape, proximity to the ocean, rocky slopes and high humidity provided the perfect setting for micro niches and a diversity of species. “This is what makes Murujuga such an interesting environment, and why preserving and recording this information is so important. To receive the local Aboriginal knowledge on top of this is so important and will ensure the information can be shared with future generations,” she said. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Peter Jeffries said the book would be an invaluable information source for the rangers and the broader community. “What makes this book even more special is the collaboration by our five traditional custodian groups which form the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation: the Yaburara, Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Mardudhunera and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo,” he said. “To have everyone working together to share and protect the traditional knowledge of Murujuga is very special and is why I remain very confident that we will secure World Heritage Listing for the area in 2023. “I am proud of the team for producing the first of hopefully many living knowledge books about Murujuga.” Woodside chief executive and managing director Meg O’Neill said it was important to protect and learn from Aboriginal heritage, knowledge and culture.