Totol (Turtle): As told by Aunty Sarah
01 Totol (Turtle) Aunty Sarah.mp3 (1833 KB) 
Turtles are a feature of the Marine Reptiles exhibition at Queensland Museum South Bank.
Transcript
My name is Aunty Sarah and I’m from the far Eastern side of the Torres Strait Islands. My island is called Mer, or Murray Island.
I was born on Thursday Island, and brought up on Horne Island, which is my father’s Island, and my grandmother is a traditional owner there. I was also raised in Murray and some other islands in the Torres Strait, and on the mainland - from Bamaga to Weipa.
My descendents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
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Now I tell you the story about the turtle. Mipla kolim totol (we call it totol).
The totol is my totem. Having a totem means that you look after the animal and it looks after you.
Usually, people don’t eat their totem, but we sometimes do. We eat everything, use everything: flappers, bones, wings. Nothing is thrown out.
During the monsoon season, we boil and smoke it. We do this to preserve it, for a time when we cannot go hunting or fishing. The turtle helps us survive the monsoon.
The shell is used also – for making combs, rings for marriage, and pendants. Special paper from the bush (like sand paper) is used, and we can file the shell into different shapes.
But we help the totol too. We help it grow. We nurture them, especially if they are sick or too small. Sometimes in our houses, in our tubs, bringing them fresh salt water, and we feed them sardines. When they get strong enough, we send them back into the ocean.
It is important to look after the totol.
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Additional Information
Usually the green turtle is for eating, and the hawksbill turtle is used for making jewelry.
