Bäru is a totemic Ancestor for Madarrpa and Gumatj clans at Yathikpa, Bayguurtji and Birany Birany. The ancestor Bäru brought fire to the saltwater peoples during the creation time. This fire is represented in the diamond shaped miny'tji (sacred clan design). The diamonds are painted differently for each place. The story about Bäru includes a conflict between a man called Baru and his wife Dhamalingu, during the conflict a camp fire flares up, burning Bäru's back. He immerses himself in the saltwater and diamond shaped shaped scars are left on his back.