Borrgoron (Cygnet Bay)

Next stop was Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm where we stayed for four nights and did a tour of the pearl farm and a cultural tour, both of which were led by local Bardi Jawi man Terry Hunter. He told us about the significance of oyster shells to the local Bardi Jawi people and the history of the pearling industry in Broome, initially for mother of pearl for buttons and then later the shift to farming pearls.

On the cultural tour he took us around the shoreline, using spinifex to open rock oysters, educating us about local fishing and hunting techniques, the local marine life and access to drinking water, including showing us where the fresh water spring was amongst the rock pools. He also talked to us about Aboriginal skin groups and kinship and how that determined eligibility to marry.Read more