Arnhem Land culture takes centre stage at Barunga Festival 2026

The 2026 Barunga Festival attracted people from all over the NT. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)

Spear-throwing, basket-weaving and traditional dances were among the activities at this year's Barunga Festival, one of the country's leading celebrations of Indigenous culture.

The festival is held each year in the remote community of Barunga, about an hour outside Katherine.

Winning spear-thrower Sammy Wurrawilya says he will be taking bragging rights back to his community on Groote Eylandt.

A man from Groote Eylandt who grew up spearing pearlfish and trevally has claimed the win in the spear-throwing competition at the 2026 Barunga Festival.

The crowd erupted when Sammy Wurrawilya scored a direct hit on the target, spearing a simulacrum of a kangaroo from 35 metres away.

People travel from all over Australia to learn how to throw a traditional spear from the experts. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)

"When I was a little boy, I used to throw spears, go hunting," he said.

More than 80 people took part in the contest, including countrymen from Aboriginal communities across the NT, US Marines, and tourists from around Australia.

Victor Rostron, a ranger from Arnhem Land, was teaching people how to make the spears and throwers from ironwood.

Children prepare to take a shot at the spear throwing title on Sunday. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)

"I'm really proud to be a bush man, and sitting down here and sharing our knowledge, our culture."

Visiting US Marines, who are based in Darwin, were presented with spears by Barunga elders.

Dancers from Groote Eylandt and Wugularr led the traditional bunggul at dusk. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)

"The one thing I really like about being out here is how much of a community it is, everyone is so together," marine Jimmy Georgelevasseur said.

The festival, held each year in the small remote community of Barunga, about an hour outside Katherine, is one of the country's most important Indigenous festivals, with a proud history of political advocacy.

At the 1988 festival, Arnhem Land traditional owners presented a painted document known as the Barunga Statement to then-prime minister Bob Hawke, calling for a treaty and for land rights.

The Barunga Festival has a proud history of political advocacy. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)

It is also a place for Aboriginal people to share their cultural practices, with dancers from Groote Eylandt and Wugularr leading the traditional bunggul dances at dusk this year.

Women from Bulman's Mimal ranger group in central Arnhem Land ran a basket-weaving workshop, showing visitors how natural fibres