Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experience: Katherine
Introducing Manuel Pamkal, owner of Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experience based in Katherine in the Northern Territory of Australia. Named after the Indigenous Australian Dalabon language from southwestern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experience is devoted to sharing the richness of Aboriginal culture through unique, immersive experiences. Join us to explore the stories, traditions, and spirit of one of the world’s oldest living cultures.
Manuel Pamkal warmly welcomes you to explore the rich tapestry of Aboriginal culture in Katherine. With a range of immersive experiences, Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experiences offers private one-day and overnight tours, corporate and school training, and bush tucker experiences we call Pamkal Family Cookups. Imagine a traditional fish or kangaroo tail cook-up, or learn the intricate art of pandanus weaving, all while connecting with the land’s timeless stories. Pandanus weaving workshops are special multi-day workshops, available just a few times per year.
For 60,000 years, Aboriginal people have been living on Australia. Before any other settlers, explorers, or invaders, Aboriginal people were living a relatively quiet life, in what many consider some of the harshest terrain in all of the world.
In other parts of the world, people were relying on inventing new things to survive in a created world. In outback Australia, Aboriginal people have lived in a world unadulterated by consumer aspirations. Instead, Aboriginal people were living in a tapestry of relationships, rituals and responsibilities. Daily responsibilities were directed by a deep understanding of the learnings from storytelling relating to people and places, current, past and future. This storytelling has been passed down for thousands of years, in languages now almost extinct.
It is a deep privelage to begin to understand how Aboriginal people continue to learn to adapt to a world so far removed from the Dreaming, it might as well be another planet.
Manuel’s Journey: Preserving Aboriginal Culture Through Art and Storytelling in the Northern Territory
Born at Banatjarl near King River, Manuel Pamkal’s life has been a rich journey of culture, resilience, and artistry. Manuel mastered English by teaching his own language to university lecturers in a language exchange. Guided by his father at 15, he learned traditional bark painting techniques and the stories of the Dreamtime, skills and tales he now passes on to younger generations. As an experienced Aboriginal cultural guide, Manuel Pamkal is the preiminent Aboriginal cultural tour guide, providing insight, humour and openness in his interactions with guests.
With over 45 years of painting experience, Manuel’s works—on bark, canvas, and didgeridoos—have garnered international acclaim. Manuel Pamkal has won regional art prizes, including at the Barunga Festival, and received honors such as an entry in the Telstra National ATSI Art Award. His work has been showcased globally, from Australian galleries to a cultural workshop in Japan.
As a senior Aboriginal Dalabon tour guide and community leader, Manuel Pamkal has dedicated his life to sharing Australian Indigenous culture. His storytelling, art, and tours have earned multiple Brolga Tourism Awards and recognition from Tourism NT for his outstanding interpretive skills. Whether teaching painting techniques or weaving stories of the past, Manuel is a living bridge between generations, ensuring his culture thrives for years to come.
Manuel is excited to share his culture, traditions, and local knowledge with you, creating a truly unforgettable experience for you.
