20,000 years of Aboriginal people inhabiting Manly
The traditional Aboriginal custodians of Manly were the Guringai people and more specifically the Kay-ye-may Clan. They lived primarily along the foreshores of the harbour, they fished and hunted in the waters and hinterlands of the area, and harvested food from the surrounding bush. In fact many of the foods still exist within the confines of the national park.
Evidence of their inhabitance is prominent in the Manly area and its surrounds. There are middens, caves and most impressively, rock carvings.
The spirit of the Guringai is still evident in the features that distiguish Manly's foreshores and in particular North Head, a place of exceptional spiritual significance for many coastal tribes. This was where the senior law men or karadji assembled for healing ceremonies and other cultural activities.
