Page 41 - Tropic Magazine Issue 36

TROPIC • L ANGUAGE

Celebrating

first words

RECONCILIATION
Tropic asked Cultural
Development Officer
at Djabugay Aboriginal This year marked the 17th anniversary
Corporation, Dennis Hunter, of the native title determination
to teach us a few key words of which recognised the Djabugay
peoples’ traditional custodianship of
his language. He says these around 28 square kilometres of land,
words are very well known in including the Barron Gorge National
the Kuranda area, where the Park and Din Din (the Barron Falls).
Djabugay people come from. Source: National Native Title Tribunal

BUNDARRA
Pronounced: BOOHN-dah-rah
Meaning: Cassowary. It’s also a
symbol of the Djabugay people. DJIRRI NYURRA
We believe all of life came from Pronounced: jeri NYOOH-ruh
the cassowary egg, which made all Meaning: How are you? It’s a greeting
creatures. It is a sacred animal. when introducing yourself to local
family and is well known to all family
DJUMBURRU NYIWUL in Kuranda.
Pronounced: JOOHM-booh-rooh
NYEE-woohl NGAWU GURII
Meaning: Follow one track, our old Pronounced: NAH-wooh GOOH-ri
people followed that line. Meaning: I’m good! When responding
Bulurru is the god that made laws to djirri nyurra.
that we should follow. Never walk off
that track: lore was the law. GARUU
Pronounced: gah-rooh
Meaning: Bye or I’ll see you later.

NGAWU GALING ALA
Pronounced: NAH-wooh guh-ling Profile image courtesy of CQUniversity Creative Arts
When pronouncing Djabugay ah-lah
words, be sure to roll your Rs! Meaning: I’m going now or MORE: djabugay.org.au
I’m heading along.

41 • tropicnow.com.au