Crookhat and the Kulunada (ATOM Study Guide)

In the arid desert country of the central Northern Territory there is a strip of green where an underground spring feeds a waterhole. Kulunada, the rainbow serpent of the Dreaming, lives in the waterhole.

A four wheel drive journeys through the bush and arrives at the waterhole. The three men who emerge are Donald (Crookhat) Akemarr Thompson, Alec Apetyarr Peterson and Casey Akemarr Holmes. They talk about their journey. They greet the spring and Kulunada.

The men converse as they gather firewood and prepare a camp. They share their knowledge of the place. When they come to the slab that was the foundation for the old station homestead, they recollect the old days, when white men arrived and established cattle stations.

As the campfire sends sparks into the clear desert sky, Crookhat tells stories of Kulunada.

Crookhat and the Kulunada is in Alyawarr language and is subtitled in English. Alyawarr language is spoken by approximately 1400 people.

This study guide to accompany Crookhat and the Kulunada, a documentary directed by David Tranter provides information and suggestions for learning activities in English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies and Media.

Nganampa Anwernekenhe

Crookhat and the Kulunada is part of the Nganampa Anwernekenhe television series. Nganampa Anwernekenhe is produced by Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Productions, the film and television production branch of CAAMA, in partnership with Imparja Television.

Over 180 programs have been produced since the Nganampa Anwenekenhe television series was initiated in 1988. The primary aim of the series is the maintenance of Aboriginal languages and culture. Nganampa Anwernekenhe also provides an opportunity for Indigenous filmmakers to work on an Indigenous language television series. Each program must have an Indigenous Australian in the key creative roles which include writer, director, cinematographer and sound recordist.

Visit Australian Screen at http://aso.gov.au/titles/series/nganampa-anwernekenhe/ to learn more about Nganampa Anwernekenhe.