The emu is an iconic Australian bird of significance to all Australians, but especially so to Indigenous Australians who have had a special relationship with this curious animal for thousands of years. In this bilingual, highly illustrated, full-colour publications something about emus reveals valuable ecological knowledge in a collection of essays by senior members of the Bininj Kunwok language group from Kakadu National Park and western Arnhem Land. Something about emus goes beyond biology and ecology to encompass other culturally important domains such as the visual and verbal arts, music, ritual and the relationships between humans and animals. Whilst Indigenous ecological knowledge is increasingly acknowledged as a valuable part of Australia's cultural heritage, such knowledge is most richly expressed in Australia's Indigenous languages which have largely remained inaccessible to those outside their communities.

Contents:
Part I: Talking about emus -- Chapter 1: Bininj Elder Jimmy Kalarriya talks about emus with Peter Biless Nabarlambarl and Don Nakadilinj Namunjdja at Manmoyi Outstation -- Chapter 2: Jack Nawilil and Jimmy Kalarriya talk about emus at Bolkdjam Outstation -- Chapter 3: Mick Kubarkku and family from Yikarrakkal talk about emus -- Chapter 4: Jack Djandjomerr and Josie Maralngurra talk about emus at Kabulwarnamyo Outstation -- Chapter 5: George Djandjomerr talk about emus at Manabudduma -- Chapter 6: Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek and Mary Kilkkiwarra talk about emus at Kabulwarnamyo Outstation -- Part II: Three greedy emu stories: Nicholas Evans with Toby Gangali and Jimmy Kalarriya -- Part III: Cooking an emu in an underground oven at Mumeka: John Altman -- Appendix 1: Collated by Wendy Telfer and Murray Garde: summary of information about emus -- Appendix 2: Dalabon, anthropologists and the greedy emu story -- Appendix 3: Bininj Kunwok and other language names and associated information for emus in Arnhem Land -- appendix 4: Skin names or subsections in Western Arnhem Land.

"Emu, the bush traveller - the old people talk about emus". Includes bibliographical references.