Karora facts for kids

In Arrernte mythology, Karora is a very important bandicoot ancestral being. Ancestral beings are like ancient spirits or gods who created the world and taught people how to live. Karora's stories are part of the Dreamtime, which is a special time when the world was created and shaped by these powerful beings.

Karora: An Ancestor from the Dreamtime

Karora is a central figure in the traditional stories of the Arrernte people, who live in central Australia. He is seen as a creator and a teacher, whose actions in the Dreamtime helped form the landscape and establish important customs.

The First Awakening

According to one ancient story, Karora was sleeping deep inside the earth. From his head, a tall, living pole called a tnatantja grew. This pole reached from his head all the way up to the sky. As the very first sun rose, tiny bandicoots started to emerge from Karora's armpits and navel, digging their way out of the ground. Karora then woke up and followed them. He caught two of these bandicoots, cooked them, and ate them. After he had eaten enough, he lay down to sleep again.

The First Ceremony and More Sons

While Karora slept, a bullroarer appeared from under his armpit. A bullroarer is a traditional wooden instrument that makes a humming sound when swung. This bullroarer then changed into a young man. When Karora woke up, his new son danced around him. This dance was the very first ceremony, teaching people how to perform important rituals.

Karora's son went hunting for more bandicoots. They cooked and ate them together. Karora then slept again and created two more sons. This happened many times, and soon there were many sons.

The Hunt and the Lame Wallaby

Eventually, all the bandicoots Karora had created were eaten, and the men became very hungry. They went hunting but could not find any animals. As they walked back, they heard the sound of a bullroarer. While searching for the sound, they saw a sandhill wallaby. They threw their tjuringa sticks at it and broke its leg. Tjuringa sticks are sacred objects used in ceremonies. The sandhill wallaby cried out that he was now lame and a man, not just an animal. He limped away.

The Sacred Waterhole

The hunters continued their journey and met Karora. He led them back to a special waterhole. As they sat by the water, a huge flood of honey from honeysuckle buds suddenly covered them. Karora stayed at the waterhole, but his sons were washed away. They ended up where the lame sandhill wallaby man was waiting for them.

This place became a very djang place, which means it is very sacred and important. Even today, people say you can see the brothers grouped around the sandhill wallaby man's body. These are seen as a group of rocks surrounding a large boulder.

Karora is believed to still be at the waterhole, sleeping forever. People who come to drink there must carry green tree branches. They lay these branches down on the banks before they drink, as a sign of respect.