Their society is based on matrilineal descent, and marriage plays a very important part in many aspects of their lives.

[b] The Tunuvivi people held sway over some 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi) of land on Melville and Bathurst islands.

Any person within this emblem are considered your close kin: Like mother, father, sister, & brother.

Tiwi culture places great emphasis on the importance of marriage in women's lives.

[10] Since the more promising husbands are usually claimed, older women often end up with younger, less experienced men.

While men had a lot more political power, women were well respected for their gathering skills to provide food and favors.

On land, they hunt for wallaby, lizards, possums, carpet snakes, pig, buffalo, flying foxes, bandicoot, turtle and seagull eggs and magpie geese.

Tiwi inherit their totemic dance, evocative of the dreamtime and which defines their spiritual identity[17] from their father.

With its strong patterns and use of colour, Tiwi art is considered very attractive and highly collectible.

Tiwi art forms an integral part of the oral tradition passing on history and wisdom through generations.

When in mourning, it is part of their beliefs to paint their body and express their love for who has passed through music, art and dance.

Painting has been practised for thousands of years as a part of ceremonies and the Tiwi totem poles are famous and have been sold all over the world.

When the Tiwis are using their remarkable knowledge to find food in the bush, they never take the mothers or the baby animals.

Music has formed an integral part, of all aspects of life on the Tiwi islands, being centered around the Tiwi initiation ceremony, kulama (yam), and the innovative use of song on such occasions is now at risk given the weakening of the customary rituals that engendered its creativity.

They sing about many aspects of their lives, including hunting, cooking, family, animals, plants and the Australian outback.

Yiloga (Australian rules football)[19] has become an important part of Tiwi culture[20] and is by far the most popular sport.