Traditional owners in Australia celebrate 25th anniversary of Uluru handback

Hundreds of people were gathering at the base of Australia's most famous natural landmark in central Australia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the return of Uluru to its traditional owners.

The 1985 handback of the iconic sites in Uluru-Kata Tjuta was considered a key symbolic moment for Indigenous land rights in Australia.

During Tuesday's celebration, women traditional owners has shared their culture stories with about 500 visitors. The on-going celebrations will also include dancing and spear throwing.

According to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park chairman Harry Wilson, he is very proud of what has been achieved in the 25 years since the handback.

While Japanese and many other tourists had travelled hundreds of kilometers for the ceremony, Uluru's traditional owners on Tuesday said the occasion was aimed also at changing the tourism focus from climbing the rock towards more cultural involvement by the local community.

They hoped for a positive future and more involvement in tourism, jobs and training for their next generation.

Source: Xinhua