Devils Marbles

The 2002 Native Title determination of the site established that "the site Karlu Karlu is primarily associated with the Wakurlpu sub-group, Aakiy (Bush Plum) and Ngappa (Rain) Dreamings.

"Karlu karlu is a constellation of sites and a nexus of dreaming tracks. It is the locus of ceremonial activity and this involves a number of other groups associated with the respective Dreamings".

The Traditional Owners message in the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve Joint Management Plan is that "in the Dreamtime Traditional Owners used that place for ceremony.

"They came from four parts of the land to spend their time together for three to four weeks dancing and singing to the spirit people, giving praises to them so that they would bless the land and give them what they need.

"Each tribe came and performed their ceremony; the tribes were Warlpiri, Warumungu, Kaytetye and Alyawarra.

"Women were separated from the men and when the ceremonies were finished they came together and waited for the sign that everything was finished. They then went their separate ways.

"Today these four groups have come together to work on this plan for Karlu Karlu with Parks, working together, planning for the future. Parks and Wildlife Service are welcome to come here and work together with us, sharing and caring for our country".

The site is still very important to the aboriginal people and may be considered to be among the oldest religious sites in the world. To fully appreciate this you need an understanding of "The Dreamtime" and the respective "Dreamings" and be clear about the difference.