The Dreaming

Series 03

STORY 1
Buduk & Bulaytj Bulaytj as told by Alfred Yangipuy Wanambi – NT Arnhum Land

Learn how a family feud caused salt water to come to Arnhem land

Synopsis:
Buduk and his wife Bulaytj Bulaytj lived at a place called Gukumi in Arnhem Land. There was no salty water in Arnhem Land, fresh water everywhere, even in the ocean. There was always plenty of water, even in the dry season.

Bulaytj Bulaytj was a good wife to Buduk, always looking after the camp, cooking and looking after Buduk. Bulaytj Bulaytj did everything for Buduk while he rested under a tree. When it came time for Bulaytj Bulaytj to have her rest, Buduk would always ask her to do something for him.

This happened all the time to poor Bulaytj Bulaytj. The next few days were very hot and Bulaytj Bulaytj felt too hot to help Buduk. She had been gathering and cooking food and kept camp all day and was hot and tired. So Bulaytj Bulaytj had a rest and only helped Buduk for a little while, then she fell asleep.

Buduk got angry with her and asked his wife one last time to help him. Furious, because his wife was asleep, Buduk walked to the beach and secreted a liquid from his body that turned the fresh water salty. Bulaytj Bulaytj woke up and tried to stop Buduk but it was too late.

Bulaytj Bulaytj then punished Buduk by turning him into a beetle, a beetle that nobody would eat because he was too salty. Bulaytj Bulaytj turned into a wallaby, a tasty animal that people would eat. Bulaytj Bulaytj got to the only fresh water left, in Buduk’s water bowl and took it to Wurandaka, away from the salt water.

Today the people still go to this place where Bulaytj Bulaytj hid the bowl of water because there is plenty of fresh water available still.