Bidjigal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bidjigal people |
|
|---|---|
| aka: Bediagal. | |
| Hierarchy | |
| Language family: | Pama–Nyungan |
| Language branch: | Yuin–Kuric |
| Language group: | Dharug |
| Area (unknown) | |
| Bioregion: | Sydney basin |
| Location: | St George, Botany Bay, Western Sydney, and the Hills District |
| Rivers | Cooks, parts of the Hawkesbury River & Georges rivers; Salt Pan & Wolli creeks |
| Other geological: | Bidjigal Reserve |
| Notable individuals | |
| Pemulwuy. Josh Cook |
|
The Bidjigal (also known as Bediagal, Bejigal, Bedegal or Biddegal) are an Aboriginal Australian people. Their traditional lands are in modern-day western, north-western, south-eastern, and southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This land includes the Bidjigal Reserve, Salt Pan Creek, and the Georges River.
The Bidjigal people are part of the Dharug language group. There is some discussion about whether they are a clan of the Dharug or Eora people. The Bidjigal clan were the first Indigenous Australians to meet the First Fleet. Led by Pemulwuy, the Bidjigal people bravely fought against European colonisation when the First Fleet arrived in 1788.
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Who are the Bidjigal People?
The Bidjigal are sometimes seen as a clan of the Dharug people. Other times, they are considered a clan of the Eora people. This is because experts debate if the Eora were a separate group. Or, if "Eora" was just a general term for Aboriginal people in early colonial writings.
Some researchers also think there might have been two different groups. One group, the Bidjigal, lived in the Baulkham Hills area. Another group, the Bediagal, lived near Botany Bay in the Salt Pan Creek area.
Anthropologist Val Attenbrow says their exact origin and location are "somewhat vexed." This means it's a bit confusing. Early historical records suggest they lived just north of Castle Hill. However, they also seem to have lived in southern Sydney. This area is between the Cooks River, Wolli Creek, and the Georges River to Salt Pan Creek. They also lived in the Hills District of Sydney, in what is now Baulkham Hills.
Coastal areas like Bondi and Coogee were likely shared. Bidjigal, Gadigal, and Birrabirrragal clans used these areas. These groups shared a "saltwater culture" and were all from the Dharug language group. They also had strong family ties.
Bidjigal Culture and Traditions
The Importance of Fire
Fire is very important in Bidjigal culture and practices. This includes special Smoking Ceremonies. These ceremonies are a way to communicate with the Fire Spirit. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clans use smoking ceremonies. They help to cleanse people and places of bad spirits. This protects them from dangerous spiritual powers.
Roles of Men and Women
Men, women, and children have different roles in the clan. Men are seen as warriors, gatekeepers, and protectors. Women are storytellers and nurturers. Men are taught to respect and care for women.
Both men and women helped with fishing. Fish was the main food source for the Bidjigal people. Men used spears to hunt fish. Women used hooks and lines. Both would fish from canoes made from local wood. Women also gathered shellfish.
Beautiful Shellwork Art
Historically, women and girls made decorative and useful 'shellwork' from seashells. Shellwork is common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living near the coast. However, not much research has been done on these traditions. La Perouse is still a major place where shellwork is made.
Shellwork was popular with tourists, especially white women. Today, shellwork is often seen as both art and an important cultural item. It is now often displayed in museums.
In 2015, Bidjigal elder and artist Esme Timbery worked with Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones. They created a seven-story shell art piece called 'Shell Wall 2015' in Barangaroo. This public artwork can still be seen on the southern side of the Alexander residential building.
Koojay Corroboree Festival
A Corroboree is a gathering of Aboriginal Australians. Sometimes, different clans meet together. Since 2015, the Randwick City Council and the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council have hosted an annual Koojay Corroboree. It was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Koojay Corroboree takes place on Coogee Beach. "Koojay" is the traditional Dharug name for the beach. This festival is held during National Reconciliation Week (NRW). It honors the Bidjigal and Gadigal people, who both lived on this land. The festival includes cultural activities like fire ceremonies, song, and dance.
Language of the Bidjigal
The Bidjigal were a subgroup or clan of either the Dharug or Eora people. They would have spoken a type of Dharug. This is one of the Yora languages.
The name Bidjigal means plains-dweller in the Dharug language.
History of the Bidjigal People
When the British arrived, the Bidjigal population was estimated to be about 500 people. This made their area one of the most populated before colonisation. Like many Dharug people, the Bidjigal used their access to water for fishing. Fish was their main food source. This included the Georges, Cooks River, Salt Pan Creek, Wolli Creek, and parts of the Hawkesbury River.
Because of this, different sea animals, like whales and eels, were very important to their culture. The eel's journey would be celebrated at the start of their migration. This event, called the ‘running of the eels’, included feasts and ceremonies. Old tools and weapons found show they also hunted land animals. They used items like boomerangs.
Impact of Colonisation
The Bidjigal people were among the first to meet Captain Cook and the First Fleet. They strongly resisted colonisation. There was a long period of fighting in coastal Sydney, involving the Bidjigal clan, from 1788 to 1817. Aboriginal people used guerrilla-style warfare. This helped them fight against the colonists, who had much better weapons. One battle tactic was their War Dance. Fighters would dance from a high spot to distract colonists. This would slow down the colonists' reloading speed before spears were thrown. Prospect Hill was a major site of fighting and Indigenous deaths.
Despite their resistance, many things led to their displacement. Their traditional way of life was greatly impacted. The clan was severely weakened by many deaths from a smallpox epidemic in 1790. At that time, Governor Phillip thought about half of the Aboriginal people died. Later estimates suggest even more died, with most of the Bidjigal clan perishing. There is still debate about whether the disease was smallpox or chickenpox. And whether it was brought on purpose by European colonists. Regardless, the deaths greatly reduced their population.
This, along with ongoing expansion and violence from colonists, stopped the Bidjigal clan from living as they used to. However, their descendants continue to preserve and celebrate their culture today.
Rock art and middens (ancient shell mounds) from the Bidjigal people can still be found. They are in areas across Sydney, including Bondi, George's River, and a hidden cave in Undercliffe. These historical sites are at risk. They can be damaged by public actions, vandalism, and natural erosion. Also, governments or councils sometimes fail to protect them.
The Bidjigal Reserve
The Bidjigal Reserve is a 300-hectare area of protected public bushland. It runs along Darling Mills Creek, mostly in The Hills Shire. The Bidjigal clan has lived in this area for at least 40,000 years. The rock overhangs and caves offered shelter. Freshwater provided opportunities for fishing. Plants and animals were used for food, medicine, and making tools.
In 1804, 3,800 acres of land, including the Bidjigal reserve, were set aside by Governor King. This was known as the Baulkham Hills Common. In 1818, it was given to private individuals as land grants. The area was named Excelsior Reserve. The plants and animals suffered from new foreign wildlife, like foxes. Settlers also cleared land for building projects. Wildfires also caused damage.
One such project was the M2 Motorway. This was seen as "environmentally controversial." It destroyed and disconnected parts of the bushland. In 2004, an agreement was made between Indigenous people and the local council. Representatives of Dharug descendants were included on a new board. The park was renamed from Excelsior Reserve to Bidjigal. The Native Title claim over the area was then withdrawn.
Sydney Light Rail Project
The Bidjigal clan was involved in a disagreement with the Federal Government. This was about building the Sydney light rail. Indigenous artifacts were found at the construction site. Over 22,000 artifacts were found in a 100-square-meter area. This was near the proposed tram stabling yard in Randwick. The artifacts included spearheads and cutting tools.
Transport for NSW hired four Aboriginal groups to advise on cultural heritage. This happened after the discovery. Bidjigal elders said that paid consultants were chosen over the traditional owners for advice. They believed these consultants had a reason for the construction to go ahead.
Despite protests and an emergency heritage appeal, construction continued. The Federal Environment Minister decided the area was not a significant Aboriginal area. He denied an emergency stop work order. Over 21,000 artifacts were dug up and saved. However, thousands more were disturbed and destroyed by the construction. The presence of items like weapons suggests the area was a site of conflict. This means it was likely a place where deaths occurred.
Modern Place Names
The name of the Bidjigal people is remembered today. It is used for the 186-hectare (460-acre) Bidjigal Reserve. This reserve is in Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Carlingford, North Rocks, and Northmead. These areas are to the north-west of Sydney. The Bidjigal Reserve was called Excelsior Park until 2004. It was then dedicated to preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage, local plants and animals, and for public recreation.
The Bidjigal word Wolli means 'camping place'. This word is now the name of a suburb and a waterway. Both are called Wolli Creek.
Notable Bidjigal Individuals
Perhaps the most famous Bidjigal person was Pemulwuy. He successfully led Aboriginal resistance against European colonisation. He was later captured and killed by explorer Henry Hacking in 1802.
William Victor Simms, known as Vic Simms or Uncle Vic, is a Bidjigal man. He is an Australian singer and songwriter. He was the first Aboriginal man to appear on commercial TV. He also became an international recording artist.
Josh Cook is a professional rugby league footballer. He is part of the Bidjigal and Yuin clans.
The Timbery Family
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The Timbery family is said to have been present when the First Fleet arrived. They are descendants of Pemulwuy. They have greatly influenced Aboriginal and wider culture. They still live in the La Perouse area, where they first encountered the First Fleet.
They continue to share their family story of the invasion. This story tells that they gained some trust from the colonisers. This led to certain family members, like Joe Timbery, being given responsibilities. Joe Timbery was named 'King of the Five Islands' by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1816. However, they also say that their openness did not protect them from the colonisers' cruelty.
Esme Timbery is a Bidjigal woman and elder. She is also a well-known shell worker. Her art is shown in several museums across Australia. Esme and her late sister Rose are fourth-generation shell artists. They are descendants of Emma Timbery, who started the family tradition of shellwork. Emma also achieved other things, like preserving language.
The men in the family have made wooden crafts. Members like Joe Timbery were notable boomerang and shield makers. Laddie Timbery also became well-known later in his life for his boomerangs. These boomerangs were valued both artistically and culturally.
Garry Purchase is an artist with Dharawal, Bidjigal, and Dhungutti heritage. He is part of the Timbery family. His paintings "The Journey" and “Missing Pieces” won the Aboriginal Health award in 2014, 2016, and 2017, respectively. “The Journey” also won the People's Choice award at Mental Health Art Works! in 2014.
See also
