Page 2-3:
Waŋganymirriy waluy Yothu Guthirka bira'yurr yakurrŋur bala maŋutji-ḻarruŋala ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwnha. Ga ŋayiny gan ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny nhanŋu ḻarruŋal ŋathawnha. Djaṉŋarrthinan ŋayi ŋunhi Yothu Guthirkany. Rur'yurr ŋayi bala yarrupthurra raŋilila, ŋathawnha ḻarruŋal.
One day Little Oyster Catcher woke up and looked for her mother. Her mother had gone searching for food that morning. Little Oyster Catcher felt hungry. She stood up and went to the beach to look for food.
Page 4-5:
Nhäŋal ŋayi Djarraknha ŋayi gan ŋarirri' nyaŋ'thurr, bala ŋayi waŋanan bitjarra, “Way! Djarrak, manymak ŋarra dhu dhäkay-birrka'yun dhuwali ŋarirri'?” Ŋayiny Djarrakthuny ŋanya gurrupar ŋarirriny' yurr nhanŋu guthirkawnydja ŋurruny mirithirr binydjitj, ga bäyŋun ŋayi ŋunhi nyaŋ'thurrnydja.
She saw Seagull eating fish and the little Oyster Catcher said, “Hey! Seagull, can I taste that fish?” Seagull gave her a fish but the oyster catcher had a small beak and she couldn't eat it.
Page 6-7:
Raŋi-ŋupar ŋayi gan ŋunhi marrtjinany... bala ŋayi nhäŋala Miyapununhan, ŋayi gan gäywarr nyaŋ'thurr. Ga waŋan ŋayi bitjarr, “Miyapunu nhäthinya dhuwali gäywarrnydja dhäkay?” Ga ŋayiny miyapunuynydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, “Dhuwandja dhäkay gäywarrnydja gorrmur'nha mirithirra nhakun gurthan." Bala ŋayi barrarinan bili gorrmur'nha ŋunhi.
Along the beach went Little Oyster Catcher then she saw Turtle eating a jellyfish. Little Oyster Catcher said, “What does jellyfish taste like, Turtle?” Turtle replied, “This jellyfish is very hot like fire.” Little Oyster Catcher was afraid because it tasted hot.
Page 8-9:
Yow, marrtjinan ŋayi gan ga baralaw ŋayi ḏuwaṯthurr bala nhäŋala djandanhan ŋayi gan nyaŋ'thurr miyapunu mapu'. Ga waŋan ŋayi Djanda nhanŋu bitjarr, "Way, djäl nhe miyapunu mapuw'?" Ga ŋayiny buku-bäkmaraŋal bitjarr, "Ŋe… ŋarra dhäkay-birrka'yun ga?" Ḻukanany ŋayi ŋunhi mapuny' bala gaṯthurra nhanukal ŋurruŋura!
Little Oyster Catcher went over the sand dune and saw Goanna eating turtle eggs. Goanna asked the Little Oyster Catcher, “Hey! Do you want a turtle egg?” Oyster Catcher replied, “Yes, can I taste the turtle egg?” When she ate the turtle egg it got stuck on her beak!
Page 10-11:
Ga marrtjin ŋayi gan guṉḏamirrikurra, bala nhäŋala ŋayi gomunhan ŋayi gan ŋaraka nyaŋ'thurr bala ŋayi waŋan bitjarra, “Nhaltjanna nhe ŋuli ga ŋarakany ḻuka?” Ŋayiny gomuny waŋan bitjarra, "Goŋdja ŋarra dhuwal ḏäl mirithirr ga wirrkthundja ŋarra ŋuli ga mirithirr yan, ga ŋanaktja ŋarra ŋuli marrtji ḻarrmaram ŋarakaŋurnydja miyapunuŋurnydja." Bala ŋayiny gan ŋunhi nhäŋal ganarrthaŋala bili bäyŋu nhanŋu goŋ wirrkthunaraw.
Little Oyster Catcher walked along the rocks and saw Hermit Crab eating a turtle shell. Oyster Catcher said, “How do you eat the shell?” Hermit Crab replied, “My hands are very strong, and I scrape it hard and peel the skin from the shell.” The Little Oyster Catcher looked at the scraps, but she didn't have hands to scrape with.
Page 12-13:
Ga ḻuku ḻupthurr ŋayi gapulil bala nhäŋal ḻaḻuny ŋayi gan ŋäṉ'kaw yaw'yurr munatha', ga guṉḏa mala ḻaw'-ḻawmaraŋal ḻirray nhanukiyingal. Bala ŋayi waŋanan, “Ḻaḻu wanhal nhe ŋuli ga maypalnydja maḻŋ'maram?” Ga ŋayiny ḻaḻuny waŋan bitjarr, "Munatha'ŋur djinawa'." Bala ŋayi gan ŋunhi guthirkany birrka'yunminan yurr ŋurruny nhanŋu ŋunhi dhumbuḻ'nha maypalwuny märranharaw.
Little Oyster Catcher put her feet in the water and saw Tusk Fish digging up clams in the sand and rock with his teeth. Little Oyster Catcher said, “Tusk Fish, where do you find the clams?” Tusk Fish replied, “Under the sand.” Oyster Catcher tried but her nose was too short to get the clams.
Page 14-15:
Djuḏum'mirriykurr munatha'kurr ŋayi gan ŋunhi marrtjinany, bala ŋayi nhäŋala manhdhapiḏin… ŋayi gan gaḻ'yurr munatha'kurr, nyaŋ'thurr marrtjin djuḏum'. Ga ŋayiny manhdhapiḏiny waŋan nhanŋu bitjarr, "Ŋay'', dhäkay-birrka'yun nhe dhu dhuwal djuḏum' munatha'?" Ŋayiny ŋäkul ŋanya bay'nha.
Through the muddy sand went Little Oyster Catcher then she saw Mangrove Slug, he was crawling through the mud and eating it. Mangrove Slug asked Oyster Catcher “Here, you want to try this mud?” Little Oyster Catcher ignored him.
Page 16-17:
Marrtjinany ŋayi gan bala nhinanan warraw'ŋura warwu'-wapthurra, bala marrtjin ŋäthinan ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwnha. Yaka wiyin'tja... bala ŋayi ḏäwa'yurra bala nhäŋala ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋunhany ŋayi marrtjin dhuryurra.
Little Oyster Catcher went to the shaded area and sat, feeling emotional, then she started to cry for her mother. She hadn't sat long before she saw her mother gliding towards her.
Page 18-19:
''Nhäŋalnydja ŋayi ŋanya bala maṉḏa marrtjinan maypalwun. Milkuŋala ŋayi ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuynydja nhanukal wanhal maṉḏa dhu ḏiyamu buma.
When she saw her they both went to collect shellfish. Her mother showed her where to find and catch pipis.
Page 20-21:
Bumara-a-a maṉḏa ḏiyamuny dharrwakuŋala, bili ŋurruny nhanŋu ŋunhi ḏäl maypalwuny märranharaw. Bala manda gan nyaŋ'thurra… ga dhäkaynydja ŋunhi dhapirrknha dhika!
They got lots of pipis because her beak was just right to collect those pipis, then they ate them and they were delicious!
Page 2
Waŋganymirr ḻurrkun' miyalkkurruwurr marrtjin bala maypalwu.
One day, three women went out to collect some shellfish.
Page 4
Ŋunhi walal marrtjinany, ŋayiny walalaŋ bunan waŋgany miyalk yäku Garkman.
After they arrived, there was another woman there by the name of “Garkman”.
Page 6
Ga walalnydja nhäŋal ŋanya bala waŋanan bitjarra, "Way Garkman, nhaku nhe dhuwal marrtjin räli?" Ga ŋayiny waŋan, "Go… be muka limurr dhu marrtji bala maypalwu."
When they saw her, the three women asked, “Hey Garkman, why are you here?” Garkman replied, “Oh I thought we were going to collect some shellfish.”
Page 8
Ga walalnydja buku-bakmaraŋal bitjarr, "Nhaka, dhuwal nhe dhuŋa maypalwu, nhe balaŋ bäynha ŋula nhän maypal buŋu."
Yurr ŋayiny Garkmandja bitjarr, "Nhaka… yan limurr marrtjin gu’!"
The women replied, “No, you don’t know about shellfish, you might collect the inedible ones.” Garkman responded, “It doesn’t matter, let’s go!”
Page 10
Bala walal yarru'-yarrupthurra raŋilila, bala marrtjin bumara maypalnha yurr mekawu’ yan.
Then they all went down to the beach to get shellfish, but they were only getting milky rock oysters.
Page 12
Ga ŋayiny ŋunhi Garkmandja dhuŋa ŋurukiyi maypalwu, bili ŋayi ŋuli ga nhina yan wäŋaŋur, bala ŋayi dhumbal'yurra nhäthinya mekawu’ maypal.
Garkman knew nothing about milky oysters, she always stayed home and was confused because she didn’t know what milky oysters looked like.
Page 14
Bala ŋayi marrtjin bumarnydja dhuŋuŋaniŋ’nha yanbi mekawun’.
Garkman was collecting some sugar limpets thinking they were the milky oysters.
Page 16
Bumar ŋayi marrtjin dhaŋaŋ. Bala ŋayi wätthurra walalaŋ, "Walal! Wanhan nhumalaŋguny maypal? Ŋarrany dhuwal bilin dhaŋaŋguŋala."
She collected more and more of the sugar limpets. Then she called out to the women, “Hey! Did you guys get anything? I’ve got plenty!”
Page 18
Bala walal bukmak yan marrtjin balan ḏiltjilila, ga walalnydja waŋan bitjarr, "Way! Gumurr-djarrak, dhaŋaŋguŋal nhe dhuwal muka? Mak napurr nhäma nhuŋu go."
Then they all went to the bush, the women looked and said, “Oh you poor thing, you got so many, can you show us what you’ve collected?”
Page 20
Ŋunhi walal nhäŋalnydja bala walal gitkitthunminan nhanŋu, yän bili ŋayi gan ŋunhi bumarnydja dhuŋuŋaniŋ’nha maypal, yakan mekawuny’. Ga ŋayiny waŋan bitjarr, "Nhaku nhuma ga gitkitthunmirrnydja?"
When they saw what Garkman had collected, they all burst into laughter. She was collecting the wrong oysters which were not edible because she thought that’s what the milky oysters looked like. She asked the women, “Why are you laughing at me?”
Page 22
Ga walalnydja gan gitkitthunminan yan. Ŋayiny goranan mirithinan, bala ŋayi waŋganydja miyalk waŋan bitjarra, “Gu', ŋarra milkum nhokal nhaltjan nhe dhu maḻŋ’maram maypal ŋunhi limurr dhu buluny marrtji.”
The women just kept laughing. She was really embarrassed, but one of the women told Garkman, “Come, I’ll show you how to find the right oysters the next time we go collecting."
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel worr'wurrnha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga garkmannha ga nyiknyiknha bili ŋayi djaṉŋarrthin ŋathaw.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel garkmannha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga milkmilknha bili ŋayi djälthin ŋathaw.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel weṯiny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga yolŋuny goŋ-märriyaŋmirriny.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel butjikitnha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga nyiknyiknha wanaŋamirriyam garrwarlil dharpalil.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel bikipikiny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga butjikitnha waṉḏinyalil.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel ḻaḻuny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga gäywarrnha ga nyumukuṉiny' ŋarirri' mala.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel bul'manydjiny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga maranydjalknha bala ŋupana.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel wurrpaṉ'nha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga ḏingu.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel bäruny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wuŋgannha ga djälthirrnydja ŋayi ga ḏarrkthunarawnha yan nhanŋu.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel miyapununy.
Nhäma ŋayi ga ḏakawany ga nyumukuṉiny'nha ŋarirriny' mala.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel ḏawurrnha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wurrki' gukumirr.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel boṉbany.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wiripuny boṉbany mala bul'yunalil.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel yindiny bäpiny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wiripuny bäpiny, ga djälthirrnydja ŋayi ga malthunaraw nhanŋu.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel marrŋuny'.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wiripuny marrŋuny' nyaŋ'thunalil man'tjarrlil.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel gaḻaŋgamirriny.
Nhäma ŋayi ga wulu, ga djälthirrnydja ŋayi ga nyaŋ'thunaraw ŋunhi.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel warrnyuny.
Ḻarrum ŋayi ga borumgu ŋayi dhu nyaŋ'thun.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel woṉnha.
Nhäma ŋayi ga djarraṯawun.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel ḏamalany.
Nhäma ŋayi ga ŋarirri', ŋunhi ŋayi bumar.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel djandany.
Ḻarrum ŋayi ga mindjirriw ŋunhi ŋanya ḏarrkthurr.
Nhäŋu mel.
Nhäŋu ŋathil mel djamarrkuḻiny'
Nhänhamirr walal ga giḻatjlil.
Ga bitjana walal ga birrka'yunmirrnydja yanbi walal mokuynha, yurr yuwalktja walal yaka.
ENGLISH
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of an owl.
Looking at the frogs and the mice hungrily.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the frog.
Looking at the mosquito hungrily.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the kangaroo.
Looking at the man with a gun.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of a cat.
Looking hungrily at the mouse in a hole.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of a pig.
Looking at the cat running away.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the dog.
Looking at the other dogs playing.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the fish Looking at the octopus.
Look at the eyes .
Look at the eyes of the shark.
Looking at the stingrays hungrily.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of an emu.
Looking at the cycad nuts.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the crocodile
Looking at the dog and it wants to eat it.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the turtle.
Looking at the prawns.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the bees.
Looking at the flower for honey.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the butterfly.
Looking at the other butterflies.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the big snake.
Looking at the other snake it wants to eat.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the possum.
Looking at the other possums eating leaves.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the dugong.
Looking at the sea weed and wants to eat it.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the flying fox.
Looking for some fruits to eat.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the moth.
Looking at the light.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of an eagle.
Looking at the fish it caught.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the goanna.
Looking for the sandfly which bit him.
Look at the eyes.
Look at the eyes of the children.
Looking at themselves in the mirror.
They think that they are monsters, but really they're not.
FROM A STORY BY Nancy Gununwanga
in the Ndjebbana language of central Arnhem Land.
Illustrations by Robert Williams.
Story in Djambarrpuyŋu.
By Helen Rrikawuku
© NT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
ILLUSTRATIONS - MANINGRIDA LPC
TEXT - GALIWIN'KU LPC
ILLUSTRATIONS PRINTED BY MANINGRIDA LPC
OCT 1993
DJAMBARRPUYŊU TEXT PRINTED BY GALIWIN'KU LPC 1996
MEL
TEXT IN DJAMBARRPUYŊU BY HELEN RRIKAWUKU
ILLUSTRATIONS: ROBERT WILLIAMS.
Page 1-2:
Mayalthay waluy, yothu wakir'yunalil djälthin ga waŋanany ŋayi Bäpa'mirriŋuny maranydjalkku.
It was the wet season, the child wanted to go hunting and he asked his father for stingray.
Page 3-4:
Ŋayi Bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Gäthu, djuḻkthunawuynha walu dhuwal Dhuluḏur' ga galkurra wärrkarrwu wurrkiw'nha."
His father told him, "Son, the season of Dhuluḏur' has already passed, wait for the spider lily flower."
Page 5-6:
Bala yothu marrtjin ga waŋany Märi'mumirriŋuny mäṉaw'nha.
Then the child went and asked his grandfather (paternal) for shark.
Page 7-8:
Ŋayi Märi'mumirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Marratja, djuḻkthunawuynha Rarranhdharrnydja dhuwal walu mäṉa'mirrnydja ga galkurr dharraŋgulkku wurrkiw'nha."
His grandfather told him, "Grandson, the hot dry season is the time for shark and it has already passed, wait for the red-flowering kurrajong flower."
Page 9-10:
Bala yothu marrtjin ga waŋany Ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny miyapunuw mapuw'.
Then the child went and asked his mother for turtle eggs.
Page 11-12:
Ŋayi Ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Dhuwana bala marrtjin ga Miḏawarrnydja walu." Ŋunhi nhe boŋguŋ nhäŋu rowu wurrki' ga ŋunhiyin miyapunuw mapuw' ga bawalamirriwnha ŋarirriw' ga maypalwu, ŋatha ŋamakuli'ŋumirra.
His mother told him, "The end of the wet season is coming. Later, if you see the goat's foot creeper flower, that will be the time for turtle eggs, lots of fish and shellfish, it's time for harvest."
Page 13-14:
Bala yothu marrtjin ga waŋany Yapa'mirriŋuny wäkuṉgu ŋarirriw'.
Then the child went and asked his sister for mullet.
Page 15-16:
"Yo, dhuwana bala marrtjin ga Guṉmulnha walu. Ŋunhi nhäŋun nhe boŋguŋ wäkwaknha wurrkiny'."
"Yes, the mid wet season is coming. Later you will see water lily flowers."
Page 17-18:
Bala yothu marrtjin ga waŋany Ŋathi'mirriŋuny ratjukku.
Then the child went and asked his grandfather (maternal) for barramundi.
Page 19-20:
Ŋathi'mirriŋuy lakaraŋal bitjarra, "Dhuwandja walu ratjukmirra ga garkuyimirra bili bärray'nha dhuwal ga wurrkiny' nhäŋu gäŋa."
Grandfather told him, "This is the time for barramundi and small mullet because it is the time of the West wind and you will see the wild passionfruit flower."
Page 21-22:
"Go, ŋali marrtjin yothu ŋarirri'lila ratjukku ga garkuyiwnha!"
"Come child, let's go for barramundi and small mullet!"
Mayaltha
Mayalthay waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki', rretha ga dhalpi. Ŋathany mala gapuŋura yan. Ŋarirri', maranydjalk ga burruwuny.
In the wet season, we usually see northern milkwood and cabbage palm flowers. Food is only from the water. Fish, stingray and young shark.
Guṉmul
Guṉmulyu waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki', gäŋa. Ŋathany mala gapuŋura yan, ŋarirri' ga maypalnha.
In the mid wet season, we usually see wild passionfruit flower. There is only food from the sea, fish and shellfish.
Miḏawarr
Miḏawarrnydja dhuwal walu ŋatha ŋamakuli'ŋu. Bawalamirriŋura napurr ŋuli märram ga maḻŋ'maram ŋathany mala ḏiltjiŋur, gathul'ŋur, guḻunŋur ga gapuŋur. Nhämany napurr ŋuli wurrkiny' mala rowu, djaḻatjaḻa, ḻämbarr, yawuny ga wäkwaknha.
The end of the wet season is the time for harvesting food. You can find and collect food anywhere in the bush, mangroves, billabong and sea. We usually see the flowers of goat's foot creeper, swamp banksia, starflower, fern-leaved grevillea and waterlilies.
Dharratharra
Dharratharray waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki', ḻämbarr, guŋurru' ga yawuny. Ŋathany mala ḏiltjiŋur ga gapuŋurnydja ganguri, getkit mapu', ḻatjin', miyapunu mapu', nyoka' ga ṉamurany.
In the cool dry season, we usually see starflower, Darwin woollybutt flower and fern-leaved grevillea flowers. Food is in the bush and sea: yams, seagull eggs, mangrove worms, turtle eggs, crabs and oysters.
Rarranhdharr
Rarranhdharryu waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki' dharraŋgulk, yukuwa ga ŋäṉ'ka-bakarra. Ŋathany mala ḏiltjiŋur ga gapuŋurnydja miyapunu, guku, nyoka', yuṉuŋaḻi ga gurrumaṯtjiny.
In the hot dry season, we usually see the flowers of red flowering kurrajong, wild cow peaand Kakadu plum. Food is in the bush and in the sea: turtle, honey, crabs, black-lipped oysterand magpie geese.
Wolmay
Wolmay waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki', dhaŋgi, ḻuŋiny ga munydjutj. Ŋathany mala ḏiltjiŋur ga gapuŋurnydja. Burruwu, mäḏi ga ganguriny.
In the build-up we usually see the flowers of cocky apple, ḻuŋiny and green plum. Food is in the bush and the sea. Young sharks, crayfish and yams.
Dhuluḏur'
Dhuluḏur'yu waluy napurr ŋuli nhäma wurrki', wärrkarr ga lumbi-lumbi. Ŋathany mala ḏiltjiŋur ga gapuŋurnydja. Maranydjalk, burruwu, mäḏi ga ganguriny.
In the pre wet season we usually see the flowers of spider lily and lumbi-lumbi. Food is in the bush and the sea. Stingray, young shark, crayfish and yams.
Page 1
Nhä ŋuli ga wärrkarryu wurrkiy' maŋutji-lakaram?
What does the Swamp Lily flower tell us?
Page 3
Maranydjalkmirra walu!
It is time for stingray!
Page 5
Nhä ŋuli ga ḻämbarryu wurrkiy' maŋutji-lakaram?
What do the Starflowers tell us?
Page 7
Ṉamuramirra walu!
It is time for oysters!
Page 9
Nhä ŋuli ga yawunydhu wurrkiy' maŋutji-lakaram?
What does the Fern-leaved Grevillea flower tell us?
Page 11
Gukumirra walu!
It is time for honey!
Page 13
Nhä ŋuli ga dharraŋgulkthu wurrkiy' maŋutji-lakaram?
What does the Red Flowering Kurrajong flower tell us?
Page 15
Burruwumirra walu!
It is time for young sharks!
Page 17
Nhä ŋuli ga gaḏaykaydja wurrkiy' maŋutji-lakaram?
What does the Darwin Stringybark flower tell us?
Page 19
Miyapunumirra walu!
It is time for turtle!
Page 4
Ŋäthil baman' gan nhinan ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋu weṯi' ga yothu weṯi'.
Rrambaŋi maṉḏa ŋuli ganha marrtjinya mulmuw nyaŋ'thunaraw.
A long time ago, lived a mother and baby kangaroo.
They went to eat some grass together.
Waŋganymirriy waluy ŋayi gan wawun mulmu nyaŋ'thurr ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuynydja weṯiy',
One day, the mother kangaroo was off guard eating some grass.
Page 5
Bala ŋayi yothuny weṯi' balan bitjarr marrtjin, bala winya'yurra.
and the baby kangaroo went away, and become lost.
Page 6
Bala ŋayi ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny weṯi' mel-ḻarruŋal nhanukalaŋaw yothuwnydja. Marrtjin ŋayi ga waŋan wurrpaṉ'nha,
Then the mother kangaroo searched for her baby. She went and said to the emu,
Page 7
"Wäy wurrpaṉ', nhäŋal muka nhe ŋarraku yothunhany?"
"Hey emu, have you seen my baby?"
Page 8
Ga ŋayi wurrpaṉ'tja waŋan bitjarr,
And the emu said,
Page 9
"Bäyŋu."
"No, nothing."
Page 10
Waŋan ŋayi djandany,
"Nhäŋal muka nhe ŋarraku yothunhany?"
Ga ŋayi djandany waŋan nhanŋu bitjarr,
"Bäyŋu." Bitjarr.
She said to the goanna, "Have you seen my baby?"
And the goanna said to her like this, "No, nothing." Like that.
Page 12
Marrtjin ŋayi guŋaluŋ'kal ga waŋan ŋanya bitjarr,
"Buwa nhäŋal muka nhe ŋarraku yothunhany?"
Ŋayi guŋaluŋ'tja waŋan nhanŋu bitjarr,
She went to the blue-tongued lizard and said like this,
"Hey, have you seen my baby?"
The blue-tongued lizard said to her, like this,
Page 13
"Bäyŋu."
"No, nothing."
Page 14
Beŋuryiny ŋayi nhäŋal gataḻanhan ga waŋan ŋayi ŋanya bitjarr,
"Wanha balaŋ nhe nhänha ŋarraku yothuny?"
Ŋayi bitjarra nhanŋu waŋan gataḻany,
Then she saw the rock wallaby and said to her like this,
"Where have you seen my baby?"
Page 16
"Ŋe."
"Ŋunha ŋayi ŋorra ga djinawa mathirraŋur ŋarrakal."
"Yes."
"There she is sleeping inside my cave."
Page 18
Märraŋal ŋayi ŋanya, bala maṉḏa marrtjinan roŋiyinan wäŋalila.
She fetched her, then they went home.
Page 1:
"Ŋ, ŋ, ŋ," bitjan ŋuli ga waṉ'kurrany waŋa.
"Ŋ, ŋ, ŋ," that's what the bandicoot says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl ganguriw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating bush yams."
Page 2:
"Mu, mu, mu," bitjan ŋuli ga murryilnydja waŋa.
"Mu, mu, mu," that's what the Torres Strait pigeon says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl ŋathaw maŋutjiw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating seeds."
Page 3:
"Nyo-o-o," bitjan ŋuli ga wärraŋdja nyowyun.
"Nyo-o-o," that's what the dingo says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl djandaw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating goanna."
Page 4:
"Moo-o-o," bitjan ŋuli ga detuŋdja waŋa.
"Moo-o-o," that's what the buffalo says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl mulmuw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating grass."
Page 5:
"Ŋak, ŋak, ŋak," bitjan ŋuli ga gurrumaṯtjiny waŋa.
"Ŋak, ŋak, ŋak," that's what the magpie goose says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl räkaywu nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating water chestnuts."
Page 6:
"Gek, gek, gek," bitjan ŋuli ga muthaliny' waŋa.
"Gek, gek, gek," that's what the duck says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl wäkwakku maŋutjiw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating waterlily root."
Page 7:
"Wäk, wäk, wäk," bitjan ŋuli ga wäktja waŋa.
"Wäk, wäk, wäk," that's what the Torresian crow says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl bawalamirriw ŋathaw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating any food."
Page 8:
"Ḻatj, ḻatj, ḻatj," bitjan ŋuli ga ḻatjḻatjtja waŋa.
"Ḻatj, ḻatj, ḻatj," that's what the northern rosella says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl munydjutjku nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating wild green plums."
Page 9:
"Ŋäk, ŋäk, ŋäk," bitjan ŋuli ga wämuttja waŋa.
"Ŋäk, ŋäk, ŋäk," that's what the wedge-tailed eagle says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl nyumukuṉiny'ku ŋarirriw' mala nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating little fish."
Page 10:
"Wo, wo," bitjan ŋuli ga worr'wurrnydja waŋa.
"Wo, wo," that's what the owl says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl nyiknyikku nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating mice."
Page 11:
"Ḏam, ḏam, ḏam," bitjan ŋuli ga ratjuktja waŋa.
"Ḏam, ḏam, ḏam," that's what the barramundi says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl nyumukuṉiny'mirriw mala ŋarirriw' nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating little fish."
Page 12:
"Wer', wer', wer'," bitjan ŋuli ga marrŋuny' waŋa.
"Wer,' wer,' wer'," that's what the possum says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl ŋathuw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating cycad nuts."
Page 13:
"Ŋak, ŋak, ŋak," bitjan ŋuli ga ḏamalany waŋa.
"Ŋak, ŋak, ŋak," that's what the white-breasted sea eagle says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl ŋarirriw' nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating fish."
Page 14:
"Guriŋ, guriŋ," bitjan ŋuli ga warrnyuny' waŋa.
"Guriŋ, guriŋ," that's what the fruit bat says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl borumgu mala nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating fruit."
Page 15:
"Get, get, get," bitjan ŋuli ga getkittja waŋa.
"Get, get, get," that's what the tern says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl nyumukuṉiny'ku ŋarirriw' mala nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating little fish."
Page 16:
"Garrurr, garrurr," bitjan ŋuli ga bäruny waŋa.
"Garrurr, garrurr," that's what the crocodile says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl mirriyaw' mala nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating blue crabs."
Page 17:
"Wir', wir', wir'," bitjan ŋuli ga wopuluny waŋa.
"Wir', wir', wir'," that's what the black-shouldered kite says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl ḏetjku mala nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating grasshoppers."
Page 18
"Ŋerrk, ŋerrk, ŋerrk," bitjan ŋuli ga ŋerrktja waŋa.
"Ŋerrk, ŋerrk, ŋerrk," that's what the sulphur crested cockatoo says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl gäŋaw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating wild passionfruit."
Page 19:
"Guḏurrk, guḏurrk," bitjan ŋuli ga guḏurrkuny waŋa.
"Guḏurrk, guḏurrk," that's what the brolga says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl yaŋaraw' wäkwakku nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating waterlily stems."
Page 20:
"Bok, buk, buk," bitjan ŋuli ga garkmandja waŋa.
"Bok, buk, buk," that's what the green frog says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl wurruḻuḻ'wu nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating flies."
Page 21:
"Ḏup, ḏup, ḏup,'" bitjan ŋuli ga wurrpaṉ'tja waŋa.
"Ḏup, ḏup, ḏup," that's what the emu says.
"Ŋarrany yindi djäl dhalpiw nyaŋ'thunaraw."
"I like eating black berries."
Ŋäthil baman' walal marrtjin wakir'lil, bäpa'mirriŋu djeṯ ga ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋu djeṯ ga momu'mirriŋu djeṯ ga yothu ḏirramu djeṯ.
Maṉḏany ŋunhi momu'mirriŋuny ga ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny gärrin retjalila ganguriwnha. Ga maṉḏany yothuny ga bäpa'mirrŋuny gan nhinan raŋiŋur, ṉakuw maṉḏa gan djäga.
Bala ŋayiny ŋunhi ḏirramuynydja märraŋal garan ga maŋal'nha, bala yarrupthurra ŋarirriw'nha, ga dharpuŋalnydja ŋayi ŋunhi ḻurrkun' ŋarirriny'.
Bala ŋayi roŋiyinan ŋunhi ḏirramuny bala wäŋalila, bala waŋgapunuŋala ŋunhi ŋarirriny' ŋurrŋgitjlila. Yaka weyin bala ŋayi warrkthurra ŋunhi ŋarirriny'. Bala ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuynydja ŋäŋ'thurra ŋanya ŋarirriwnha. "Gäthu ŋarranhany gurrupula ŋarirri' go." Bitjarr.
Bala ŋayi gäthu'mirriŋuny waŋan bitjarra, "Yow, dhuwandja barrpany ŋarirri' gurrupanmirr yan". Bala ŋayi nyaŋ'thurra dhawar'maraŋala, ga bäyŋun gurrupar bäpa'mirriŋunhany. Ga ŋayiny bäpa'mirriŋuny bitjarra waŋan nhanŋu, "Yow, gäthu ḻiyalil ŋarra nhuna galkarnydja dhuwal yalalaŋuw". Bitjarr.
Ga ŋayiny muka bäpa'mirriŋuny yarrupthurr ŋarirriw, yurr ṉakuynha ŋayi marrtjinany.
Yaka weyindja ŋayi galkurr, bala nhäŋal bäpa'mirriŋunhany ŋayi marrtjin roŋiyinan. Ga ŋunhi ŋayi dhawaṯthurrnydja bala ŋayi gurthan baṯthurr, bala ŋarirriny' batha'bathara ŋurrŋgitjlila.
Ŋunhi ŋayi warrkthurrnydja ŋarirriny' bäpa'mirriŋuynydja, bala ŋayiny ŋäŋ'thurra gäthu'mirriŋuny. "Bäpa ŋarrakuny gurrupula ŋarirri' go." Ga ŋayiny bitjarra waŋan bäpa'mirriŋuny, "Bäyŋun ŋarra nhuna dhu gurrupan gäthu". Bitjarr.
Bala ŋayi yothuny ŋäthinan, yurr weyinnha ŋayi ŋunhi ŋäthinany, bala ŋayi marrtjin bulka'mirriyinan. Bala ŋayi ŋunhi yothuny bilyurra warrakan'thinan, bala ŋayi buṯthurra.
Ga dhiyaŋuny bala limurr ŋuli nhäma warrakan'nha buṯthunnawuynha ga yäkuny ŋunhi warrakan'tja djeṯnha.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Long time ago there lived a family of four, there was a father djeṯ, and a mother djeṯ and a grandma djeṯ and a young little boy.
One day they went out camping to the beach.
As they got there, the grandmother and the mother went out hunting for yams. While the father and the boy stayed behind. They were looking after the canoe.
Then the little boy decided to go fishing. He got his spear and his spear thrower and went out. He caught three fishes.
He went back to the camp, and he cooked the fish in the fire, soon the fish were cooked. The father asked the boy, if he could have some, "Son, can you give me some of the fish?"
The son said, "I can't give you this fish it's rotten". And he ate it all up. He didn't give any to his father. Then the father said to his son, "Son, you didn't give me any fish, when I go fishing later in the day, I won't give you any".
Then the father went out fishing on a canoe.
Not long the father came back from fishing, then the boy said, "Here comes father with some fish". When the father came ashore, he lit up the fire and cooked the fish.
When the fish was cooked, he got them out of the fire, and then the boy asked him for some, "Father can you give me some please?" But the father said, "I'm not going to give you any".
Then the little boy started to cry. He cried and cried for a long time, soon feathers started to grow on his body.
Then the boy changed into an eagle, and he started to fly up into the air.
Now, today you can see the eagle flying around.
Page 2-3:
Waŋganymirriy waluy maṉḏa gan nhinan, Wäk ga Wurrpaṉ'. Ga märranhaminany maṉḏa, bala maṉḏa gan nhinanany ṉäkuŋura wäŋaŋurnydja. Yurr ŋayi ŋunhi Wurrpaṉ'tja ḏuŋḏuŋ.
Once upon a time, lived Crow and Emu. They were married and lived together in a bark house. Emu was lazy.
Page 4-5:
Bala waŋganydhuny waluy ŋayi marrtjin dharyurra, bala ŋayiny ŋunhi ḏuŋḏuŋdja Wurrpaṉ' mirithinan galŋa-djulŋithin, bala ŋayi marrtjin baldhurr'yurra ŋunhi wäŋany maṉḏaŋguwuy.
One day it rained and Lazy Emu became so happy that he started to kick their house.
Page 6-7:
Ga bitjarra bili ŋayi gan wäŋany maṉḏaŋguwuy baldhurr'yurra yan, bala ŋayiny Wäktja waŋan nhanŋu bitjarra, "Way! Nhaku nhe ga dhuwal litjalaŋ wäŋany baldhurr'yun, ŋayi dhu dhuwal ḏaw'yunna."
Lazy Emu kept kicking their house and Crow said to him, "Hey! What are you kicking our house for, you'll break it!"
Page 8-9:
Ga ŋayiny gan Wäktja nhinan djinawa wäŋaŋur. Bala ŋayi gapun nhäŋal, ŋayi marrtjin gärrin wäŋalil.
Crow was inside the house. She saw water coming in from the roof.
Page 10-11:
Bala beŋuryiny ŋayi Wäktja märr-maypathinan, bala ŋayi waŋanan Wurrpaṉ'kala bitjarra gam', "Ma', nhepi yan dhu djämany dhuwali, dhiyaŋ bala bondi yan."
After that Crow was very upset and she said to Lazy Emu, "You'll have to fix it up right now."
Page 12-13:
Ŋayiny Wurrpaṉ'thuny baḏak gan baldhurr'yurr maṉḏaŋguwuy wäŋany, bäyŋun ŋayi dhuli'na-bitjurr Wäkkuny gurrupuruŋuwnydja.
Emu kept kicking their house and didn't take any notice of poor Crow.
Page 14-15:
Ga bulu ŋayi Wäk waŋan bitjarr, "Way ḏuŋḏuŋ Wurrpaṉ', nhaku nhe ga dhuwal baḏaktja baldhurr'yun dhuwal wäŋany litjalaŋ? Muka balanya nhuŋu ŋayaŋuny, bäyŋu nhe ŋuli ga buthuru-bitjun ŋarraku, ma' nhinin gi dhiyala galkurra ŋarraku."
Crow shouted, "Hey Lazy Emu, why are you still kicking our house? So that's what you're like, you don't listen. Okay, sit here and wait for me."
Page 16-17:
Bala ŋayi Wäktja buṯthurra.
Then Crow flew away.
Page 18-19:
Yaka weyin' bala ŋayi roŋiyinan Wäktja yurr goŋ-guḻayŋumirra, ŋayiny Wurrpaṉ'thuny gan baḏaknha baldhurr'yurr ŋunhi wäŋany maṉḏaŋguwuy.
Not long after, she came back carrying a fire stick, and Emu was still kicking their house.
Page 20-21:
Bala ŋayi Wäkthuny ŋurrkaŋala ŋunhi gurthany nhanukal Wurrpaṉ'kalnydja gumurrlila, bala ŋayi nhäranan Wurrpaṉ'tja, ga ŋayiny Wäktja buṯthurra winya'yurra nhanukal.
Crow threw the firestick at Emu's chest; Emu burnt and Crow flew far away.
Page 22-23:
Ga dhiyaŋuny bala ŋayi ga baḏak gorrum nhanukal bakparrnydja gumurrŋurnydja, ŋunhi ŋäthil Wäkthu ŋanya bathar baman'birr.
Today Emu still has a burn mark on his chest from where Crow burnt him long ago.
Dharpay Mala
Dharpany dhuwal walŋa, ga dharpaynydja ŋuli gurrupan limurruŋ dhäwu ga mayali' ŋunhi limurr ŋuli dhäkay-ŋäma limurruŋgal ŋayaŋu. Nhäkurr ga wanha witjan limurr dhu dhukarrkurr marrtji ga märram ŋatha manymakmirr wäŋa, gapuŋur ga diltjiŋur.
Dharpa dhuwal Dhuwa ga Yirrtja dhäwumirr. Ŋorrany ŋayi ga dharpaŋurnydja mala riŋgitj, manikay, bäpurru ga buŋgul. Wiripuny mala dharpa munhawuynha bäpurru.
Dhuwa ga Yirritja dharpa mala wiripuny wurrki'mirr, borummirr ga ŋathamirr. Man'tjarr ŋuli bäki mirritjin rumbalwu ga dharpa rumbalnydja ŋuli bäki näku djämaw.
Gurrkurr guninyin ŋuli bäki miny'tjiw, djäma ŋuli gunga miny'tjimirriyam.
Trees
Trees are alive and give us stories and feelings. When the tide is out it is time to make fish traps from the trees that have been prepared.
Trees are Yirritja and Dhuwa and tell many different stories. They have ceremonial connections to the land with songs and songlines but some have been forgotten
Trees and everything they represent are very important to Yolŋu. Associated with one tree are many names and meanings. This is the same for flowers which also signal to Yolŋu directions of the wind.
Trees can be used for their resources such as leaves, bark to make string for bags and canoes. The flowers on trees show the season and what sea and land food is ripe and ready to collect. Leaves on trees can also be used for medicine and flowers show the direction of the wind.
Trees connect Yolŋu to the land.
Earlier books in this series:
Body parts and Products
Ganyu, Gäḏany and Guṉḏa
Ground work for part of the section "Food, Cooking and Fire" of this book comes from the work of Wanymuli 1 and Melanie Wilkinson in 1980. Over 1981/82 many people from Galiwin'ku have further contributed to the information in this booklet and I would like especially to mention Galpagalpa 1 and his wives, the Yolŋu teachers at school, Garriṉba, Warrayak and other friends at the hospital and Gulipawuy.
If you think I have misunderstood any of the words, or if you think there are important words missing, etc., please let me know or write them down in the book itself. Thankyou.
L. de Veer
