On Groote Eylandt, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Indigenous residents readily acknowledge the existence of curses.
So when one was placed on Angurugu School, supposedly by a man after a fight with his wife, it closed for the next 13 days.
But the 159 students returned today, after the Anindilyakwa Land Council conducted a smoking ceremony to rid the building of the curse.
Speaking with ABC Darwin, member for Arnhem Selina Uibo explained that it was culturally inappropriate to attend places that have been cursed, but added it was rare for it to happen to a school.
In her opinion, the incident revealed the difficulties in navigating the clash between traditional and western values, particularly as the school's attendance rate in the first half of last year was only 34 per cent.
"The culture is still very strong, it's very old, there's still a lot of traditions which take priority over the western sense of what's important," Ms Uibo said.
"Education of course is important in Aboriginal culture.
"But often there can be that clash of priority."
However she said during the closure, school staff had gone around the town and met with students.
A different kind of learning
She also said the incident gave the opportunity for children to get an insight into culture, which was another important aspect to their education.
"It's not a case of school is shut and everybody goes away and forgets about it until it's open again," she said.
"The care for the wellbeing and community members is being shown in a culturally appropriate way.
"In some cases it's learning in a different sense, learning in a cultural and traditional sense."
It was not yet clear if the person who placed the curse on the school would face repercussions. As Ms Uibo said, "that will be for the family to determine".
A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that schooling had resumed.
"Attendance at school for Aboriginal students was disrupted due to local Aboriginal cultural obligations," the spokesperson said.
"The school however has remained open with non-Aboriginal teachers working from the school and Aboriginal teachers working from home."
