The Breakaways have always been a very important place for Mutuntjarra, Antakirinja and Kokatha, the three traditional groups who own the area. This place is connected to an Aboriginal dreaming. Therefore Aboriginal culture does not allow the full story to be told. Two hills nearby, named PAPA by the Aboriginal people, represent two sitting dogs - a yellow one and a white one. The Breakaways area is the main source of red ochre (tudu) used for body decoration in ceremonies. Other ochre colours are also found there. Before the European settlement, the area was called 'Umoona' meaning 'long life' and named after the Ummoona tree, which is found in the Breakaways and at the Umoona Community Settlement in Coober Pedy.