Stories from the Billabong

Tens of thousands of years before Tutankhamen was buried in his pyramid, the Yorta-Yorta people -- one of Australia's aboriginal tribes -- told the stories in this volume beside the campfires and waterholes of the Australian desert. Here readers discover how Great Mother Snake created the world and filled it with plants and creatures, what makes Frog croak, why Kangaroo has a pouch, and just what it is that makes Platypus so special. Aboriginal artist and storyteller Francis Firebrace provides the evocative art that has made him known throughout Australia and beyond.

Francis Firebrace is a 'Wirrigan man', a name given to a wise Aboriginal elder whose songs, including traditional didgeridoo, retell the old stories and speak of freeing the spirit. He is one of Australia's foremost Aboriginal storytellers who has been 'yarning' since he can't remember when and performing at schools, festivals and theatres. He is also a highly respected artist whose works have been displayed throughout the world. He paints in the four colours his people (the Yorta Yorta) have used since the beginning of time: black from fire coals, white from pipe clay, red and yellow from ground ochre, and he mixes these with acrylic to achieve his own distinctive, contemporary effect. Francis lives in Weybridge, Surrey.

James Vance Marshall is also published under the names Ian Cameron and Donald Payne. His most famous book, Walkabout, was first published as The Children, and was later made into a movie by the director Nicholas Roeg. His other books include A River Ran Out of Eden, The Lost Ones (dramatised by Disney as The Island at the Top of the World) and White-Out. He lives in Dorking, Surrey

The Rainbow Serpent and the Story of Creation 8

How the Kangaroo got her Pouch 12

Why Frogs can only Croak 17

Why Brolgas Dance 22

Why the Platypus is such a Special Creature 26

The Mountain Rose 31

The Two Moths and the Flowers of the Mountain 36

How the Crocodile got its Scales 41

The Lizard-Man and the Creation of Uluru 45

The Butterflies and the Mystery of Death 50

About Aboriginal Australians 56

Glossary 57

Aboriginal Symbols and their meanings 60

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Stories from the Billabong

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials