Marriage is a Yolngu’s right according to the sacred law of Ngarra in a complex kinship system called Gurrutu. Breaking the marriage laws of Ngarra is seen as dishonoring and can result in harsh punishment such as being taking a spear through the leg. Girls as young as 13 to 16 are arranged to be married by their parents to a man between 40 to 50 years of age and is most likely a cousin from her father’s side just like men marry a cousin from their mother’s side. Although these marriages are arranged, the girls are not expected to marry until they are sexual mature. The Yolngu people are divided into two moieties, or two groups divided into other sub parts within, the Dhuwa and Yirritja. Marriage usually stays within the same moiety. Polygamy is also permitted and socially acceptable and preferred in the Yolngu culture. These marriages allow for moieties to interlink and create alliances.
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