Bundjalung people facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bundjalung people |
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| Aka: Badjalang (Tindale)(Horton) Bandjalang (SIL) |
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South Eastern Queensland bioregion
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| Hierarchy | |
| Language family: | Pama–Nyungan |
| Language branch: | Bandjalangic |
| Language group: | Bundjalung |
| Group dialects: |
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| Area (approx. 6,000 sq. km) | |
| Location: |
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| Coordinates: | 29°15′S 152°55′E / 29.250°S 152.917°E |
| Mountains: |
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| Rivers | Lower reaches of
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| Other geological: | Cape Byron |
| Urban areas: | |
The Bundjalung people, also spelt Bunjalung, Badjalang and Bandjalang, are Aboriginal Australians who are the original custodians of the northern coastal area of New South Wales, Australia, located approximately 550 kilometres (340 mi) northeast of Sydney, an area that includes the Bundjalung National Park.
Bundjalung people all share descent from ancestors who once spoke as their first, preferred language one or more of the dialects of the Lower-Richmond branch of the Yugambeh-Bundjalung language family.
The Arakwal of Byron Bay count themselves as one of the Bundjalung peoples.
Contents
Language
Bundjalung is a Pama-Nyungan language. It has two unusual features: certain syllables are strongly stressed while others are "slurred", and it classifies gender into four classes: (a) masculine (b) feminine (c) arboreal and (d) neuter.
Country
According to Norman Tindale, Bundjalung tribal lands encompassed roughly 2,300 square miles (6,000 km2), from the northern side of the Clarence River to the Richmond River, including Ballina with their inland extension running to Tabulam and Baryugil. The coastal Widje clan ventured no further than Rappville.
Alternative names
According to Norman Tindale, various spellings and other names were used for the Bundjalung people:
- Badjelang (paidjal/badjal means "man")
- Bandjalang, Bandjalong
- Budulung
- Buggul
- Bundela, Bundel
- Bunjellung
- Paikalyung, Paikalyug
- Watchee
- Widje (clan or clans at Evans Head)
- Woomargou
Culture
Initiation ceremony
According to R. H. Mathews, the Bundjalung rite of transition into manhood began with a cleared space called a walloonggurra some distance from the main camp. On the evening the novices are taken from their mothers around dusk, the men sing their way to this bora ground where a small bullroarer (dhalguñgwn) is whirled.
Musical instruments
The Bundjalung used a variety of instruments, including blowing on a eucalyptus leaf, creating a bird-like sound. Clapsticks were used to establish a drumbeat rhythm on ceremonial dancing occasions. Emu callers (short didgeridoos about 30 centimetres (12 in) long) were traditionally used by the Bundjalung when hunting (Eastern Australia Coastal Emus). When striking the emu-caller at one end with the open palm it sounds like an emu. This decoy attracts the bird out of the bush making it an easy prey.
Native title
In late April 2021, the Federal Court of Australia convened at Evans Head, where a native title determination was made over 7.2 square kilometres (2.8 sq mi) of land, consisting of 52 separate areas of land. The application had been launched in 1996, and the first determination made in 2013. Included in the land is a bora ring of great cultural significance near Coraki.
Notable people
- Troy Cassar-Daley, country singer, winner of ARIA and Deadly awards, among others
- Melissa Lucashenko, author, winner of 2013 Walkley Award for non-fiction and 2019 Miles Franklin Award
- Sharlene Allsopp, author and poet, winner The Ford Memorial Prize, 2021
- Madeleine and Miah Madden, actresses, half-sisters with Bundjalung heritage through their father
- Lambert McBride, activist for Aboriginal citizenship rights during the 1960s
- Digby Moran, artist
- Nikita Ridgeway, tattoo artist and graphic designer
- Tamala Shelton, actress
- Rhoda Roberts, journalist, arts advisor and artistic director
- Anthony Mundine, former boxer, rugby league star
- Evelyn Araluen, poet, researcher, co-editor
See also
In Spanish: Bundjalung para niños
