YEARS: 7–8, 9–10
This media resource contains content that may be considered inappropriate for younger children.
The Wagalak Sisters once created the landscape, but their power was stolen when they weren't paying attention.
The story of the Wagalak (or Wagilag) Sisters is told across Arnhem Land. The place where the story is said to have taken place remains a sacred site. No-one at all is allowed to go there — not men, women or children, Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
One reading of this final scene is that, due to the sisters' loss of control over their power, nature itself turned against them.
The story also carries messages for women about care of mothers and newborns.
Things to think about
- 1.The Wagalak Sisters are Dreamtime figures. What does this mean?
- 2.What do you think are the key themes in this story, and how do animals play a part?
- 3.What is the significance of the Rainbow Serpent?
Teachers
For more information, check out The Wagalak Sisters study guide by ATOM.
Acknowledgements
With thanks to the Djilpin Aboriginal Arts Corporation.
Date of broadcast: 28 Jan 2006
Copyright
Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).