Communities are organised in a complex moiety-based kinship system, grouped by patrilineal lineage (male ancestors). These kins determine who marries who. For larger kin groups there can be sub kins or lineage groups — for example, the Yirritja moiety kin has thirteen groups and the Dhuwa has ten. The Yirritja and Dhuwa always marry from one another’s kin.

The Yolngu beliefs derive from myths of how the universe began. They believe earth has always been the way it is but spirits, or what they call ‘Wangarr’, meaning ‘the dreaming’ or ‘dreamtime’, have changed aspects of the landscape as reminders that they were present. Since the arrival of missionaries, many Yolngu also practice Christianity.

From sorcery doctors to musical talent, the Yolngu have many traditions they continue to practise. ‘Marrnggiti’ is a traditional doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating illnesses inflicted by sorcery. The Yolngu are the most well-known players of the ‘vidaki’, more commonly known as a didgeridoo, however only some men are allowed to play. They are also skilled crafters of the instrument. The most successful contemporary indigenous music group is part of the community, called The Yothu Yindi.

Yolngu Matha is the collective name for the different languages and dialects spoken by the Yolngu. Many Yolngu people use multiple forms of the language, and many also speak English too.

The Yolngu’s main art expression is through performance. For performances the men paint figures and designs that represent their clan, as well as their mother’s clan’s heritage, all over their bodies. The Yolngu used to be best known for their detailed crosshatch paintings on bark before being influenced by Western Desert art. Now they produce paintings and carvings on bark to sell — the designs often have religious meaning. At funerals, the Yolngu traditionally paint a hollow log coffin called a ‘larrakitj’ which has an important spiritual purpose. The community is also talented at basket weaving.

Death rituals are a major celebration and very important within the Yolngu culture. Yearly celebrations include:

Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures: The biggest calendar event where the Yolngu community come together to celebrate their culture in collaboration with the Yothu Yindi Foundation.