Each member of a Mantharta language speaking group belongs to a patrilineally defined clan. Associated with each clan is a clan territory and sites of significance in that territory, including sites called "thalu", referred to as "local totem centres" or "increase sites." Each clan has associated with it a number of totems, which are generally animal or plant species and within the clan territory there will be places, which are associated with particular totems. These places are usually a pile of stones or a tree at which members of the group perform ceremonies to maintain or increase the totem species. Such ceremonies may be carried out to ensure the well being of the group, or to relieve a temporary state of affairs, for example, a shortage of water or food.

Totemic affiliations are also inherited patrilineally. Each person belongs to a named totemic class with which certain totems are associated.

There are separate terms for male and female members of the Mantharta language speakers’ groups and the terms are often used to refer to, or address people, much in the manner of personal names. There is no restriction on eating one’s totem species in these totemic groups but elsewhere in Australia it is forbidden.

Examples of these totemic groups’ names:

In addition to patrilineal totems people were assigned conception totems which were a particular plant or animal species which made one’s mother ill at the time that one was conceived. For example — one totem could be " papathura " — a species of yam, another one could be " pikurta ", hill-kangaroo. People could be referred to or addressed by means of the name of their conception site.