Bundjalung

The Bundjalung people (aka Bunjalung, Badjalang, Bandjalang) are the original custodians of northern coastal areas of New South Wales (Australia), an area that includes the Bundjalung National Park and Mount Warning (known to the Bundjalung people as Wollumbin ("rainmaker").

Bundjalung people all share in common descent from ancestors who once spoke as their first, preferred language, one or more of the dialect including: Yugambeh, Nganduwal, Minyangbal (also referred to as Minjangbal), Njangbal, Biriin, Baryulgil, Wahlubal, Dinggabal, Wiyabal, Gidabal or Gidhabal, Galibal and Wudjehbal.

More recently, following successful native title determinations, a few descendants because of invested interests are formally questioning the extent to which the 'Bundjalung' are, or have ever been, a people or a nation

The Bundjalung language has been taught at various schools and in the community by dedicated community members. 

Many resources were recorded and stored at AIATSIS and these are now being made available for the community to re-hear how the language was spoken.



This project is an initiative of: decorative

Supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages Support program and New Media program. Copyright © Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Cooperative

Image by Sharon Smith. For more information contact Muurrbay