Bininj

The Bininj are an Indigenous Australian people living in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are a group of Traditional Owners spanning across a significant portion of the Katherine region. Their traditional lands encompass the outer areas of Katherine, including the Gulf of Carpentaria, Dundee Beach, and surrounding areas. The Bininj people have a deep connection to their ancestral lands, extending their traditional territory from the Eastern Top End to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

According to their oral history, the Bininj people believe they are the oldest living culture in the world. They estimate that their culture stretches back over 65,000 years. The Bininj have a complex and multifaceted relationship with their environment, living off the land by hunting, gathering, and fishing. Their traditional diet consists of a variety of bush foods and seafood such as barramundi and prawns. The Bininj people understand the importance of preserving their unique cultural heritage, language, and traditions, which are still practiced today.

Their iconic ochre-based rock art is found scattered throughout the Katherine region, standing as a testament to the Bininj's cultural legacy. The art, which dates back thousands of years, offers glimpses into the lives, traditions, and spiritual practices of the Bininj people. Efforts are made by the Bininj Local Government Council to protect and preserve their heritage and land, recent initiatives have led to significant progress in preserving their cultures, as well as their precious rock art.

The Bininj culture is estimated to have had an enormous impact on the development of Australian culture, shaping it in significant ways that still resonate today.