AustLit

'In September 1974 there was a festival of Indigenous song and dance at Ngumpan, near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia's north, and those attending voted to establish the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre.The aim was to support traditional leaders travelling to ceremonies, and to protect and develop the work of artists and craftspeople. From this initiative, Magabala Books was born. In 1990 it became an independent Aboriginal corporation, to record, promote and pass on Aboriginal traditions and culture in book form. This is a huge undertaking, since stories have in the past been told orally, or as song or dance.' (Introduction 111)