The Barapa Barapa people have walked and cared for these lands for over 60,000 years

A Deep Connection to Country

Our History

The Barapa Barapa people have walked and cared for these lands for over 60,000 years, nurturing the Country and all it holds—its land, waters, plants, and animals. Significant contributions have been made in preserving Aboriginal Cultural Heritage sites and managing the natural resources of the area.

 

Through ceremonies passed down from our Ancestors to our Elders, we honor the past, present, and future. These traditions reflect our enduring connection to the land, waters, plants, birds, animals, and to one another.

 

Barapa Barapa Country is incredibly diverse, encompassing woodlands, forests, swamps, lakes, plains, granites, rivers, and wetland systems. Our people thrived by traveling and sustainably managing these environments, ensuring they could provide for us seasonally while preserving their beauty and vitality for generations to come.

A Land of Rich Cultural Heritage and Vital Waterways

The Barapa Barapa Region

Barapa Barapa Country spans a region across present-day Victoria and New South Wales, encompassing areas such as Gannawarra and parts of Loddon and Campaspe. It includes the southern tributaries of the Murrumbidgee River, extending from above Hay to Kerang.

 

This land holds the deep cultural heritage of the Barapa Barapa people, connecting the past and present. Key waterways in Victoria include Gunbower Forest and Creek, Kerang Lakes, Guttrum Forest, the Loddon River, Sheepwash Creek, and the Little Murray and Murray Rivers. In New South Wales, the Edwards and Wakool Rivers are of particular significance.

 

Barapa Barapa Country is bordered by neighboring Nations: Wamba-Wemba to the northwest, Yorta Yorta to the north and east, and Dja Dja Wurrung to the south. This interconnected region reflects a shared history and deep respect for the land and its people.

Culture & Heritage

Water is the lifeblood of Barapa Barapa culture, sustaining not only the people but also the land, animals, and environment. Barapa family groups have lived beside the waterways, either permanently or seasonally, adapting to the changing flow of water. Many of our Cultural Heritage sites are concentrated along these vital waterways, which have always been at the heart of our connection to the land.

 

Fauna plays an integral role in our culture, with several species recognized as vital to our way of life. These include the bats, Owlet Nightjar, Brolga, Black Swan, turtles, native fish such as Murray Cod, Catfish, and Yellow Belly, as well as crayfish, yabbies, the Bunyip bird (Australasian Bittern), and the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

 

Historically, the wetlands and waterways were abundant with wildlife, teeming with ibis, ducks, turtles, brolgas, fish, and fewer invasive species like carp and redfin. Unfortunately, many of the plant species that support wetland fauna have disappeared. The reintroduction of native species, alongside monitoring animal behavior through strategic programs, is crucial to the future and helps reconnect our people to the land.

 

Fire has long been used by the Barapa people to care for the land, regenerate the environment, and reduce the risks of uncontrolled fires. This practice helps manage weeds, mitigate the impact of feral animals, and maintain the health of Country, ensuring it remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.