Ginan

The IAU catalogue's account

Ginan is the Wardaman name of ε Cru, from the Northern Territory, Australia. Ginan was found by Mulugurnden (the crayfish), who brought the red flying foxes from the underworld to the sky. The bats flew up the track of the Milky Way and traded the spiritual song with Guyaru, the Night Owl (Sirius). The bats fly through the constellation Scorpius on their way to the Southern Cross, trading songs as they go. The song informs the people about initiation, which is managed by the stars in Scorpius and related to Larawag (who ensures the appropriate personnel are present for the final stages of the ceremony). The colour of the star is reflected as the brownish-red colour of the dilly bag and its association with ceremonial fire.

Source language

Aboriginal/ Wardaman

Reference

Cairns, H. and Harney, B.Y. (2003) Dark Sparklers - Yidumduma's Aboriginal Astronomy. H.C. Cairns, Merimbula, NSW, pp. 147-149, 153.

Source: IAU Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN), Working Group on Star Names. The account is the IAU's own text and is quoted in full: it is published under CC BY.