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!
The original book was produced in collaboration with Sheperdson College and the Elcho Island Community. The story was shared by Senior Traditional Owner Djuŋatjuŋa Yunupiŋu and the translation done by Helen Rrikawuku Yunupiŋu. Additional thanks for assistance in editing go to Daisy Nywarranywarra Gondarra, Rhoda Goluŋ Dhurrkay, Helen Nuŋgalurr Bukulatjpi. The illustrations were made with children from Years 4 and S working with Liz Thompson.
Thanks go to all those senior community members consulted during the production of the book, particularly Dhangal Gurruwiwi, Rrikawuku Yunupiŋu, Djuŋatjuŋa Yunupiŋu, James Daymaŋu Bukulatjpi and Johnny Barrmula Burarrwaŋa.
Shepherdson College is grateful to Liz Thompson and Djuŋatjuŋa Yunupiŋu for granting permission to produce a Djambarrpuyŋu version of Djulpan for use at Shepherdson College.
This resource is not produced by the LPC - Shepherdson College and is not able to be accessed digitally. Please contact the LPC for copies of this book.
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."
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!"
Page 2
Baman'birr, yindi wata bunan, ga marrtjinany ŋayi gan moṉukkurr gapukurr. Yurr ganydjarr-ḏumurr, boy'yurr ga buṯmaraŋal dharpa ga wäŋa mala.
Ga yothu miyapununy, dhawuṯmaraŋal bala djaw'yurr ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwal barrkulil wäŋalil.
Ga dhäŋur beŋuryi wataŋur, ŋayi yothuny miyapunu ḏawa'-ḏawayurra, nhinan ḏilmay'mayŋura wäŋaŋur.
Long ago, a huge wind came from across the sea. It blew so strongly that it blew away trees and houses. A baby turtle was blown far away from her mother. After the storm, the baby turtle looked around her at the bush.
Page 4
Ga bäyŋun ŋayi nhäŋal ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ga gapu moṉuktja. Bala ŋayi mirithinan barrarin.
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal mulkurun wäyin.
“Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu wäŋan.
“Barrkun birrnha moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Weṯiy' lakaraŋal. "Nhaku muka?”
“Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She couldn't see her mother or the sea. She was very frightened.
So she went along and then she saw a strange animal.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the kangaroo told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 6
"Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal bathilil.”
Wap, wap, wapthun. Ŋulatjar bala ṉinydjiyakurr wäŋakurr wapthurr.
Ŋunhan ṉinydjiyaŋur wäŋaŋur, ŋayi yothuny miyapunu wäŋan,
“Djutjtjutjnha Weṯi'”.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump into my pouch."
Hop, hop, hop. They hopped to the flood plain country.
At the flood plains, the baby turtle said, "Goodbye Kangaroo".
Page 8
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal mulkurun wäyin.
"Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu wäŋan.
“Barrkun birr moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Wurrpaṉ'dhu wäŋan. "Nhaku muka?"
"Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She went along and then she saw a strange animal.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the emu told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 10
“Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal ḏiltjilil.”
Waṉḏin, waṉḏin, waṉḏin. Ṉinydjiyakurr wäŋakurr gapukurr guḻunmirrikurr waṉḏin. Ŋunhal guḻunmirriŋur wäŋaŋur, ŋayi nyumukuṉiny miyapunu wäŋan,
"Djutjtjutjnha Wurrpaṉ'”.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump onto my back."
Run, run, run. They ran across the flood plains and through the billabong country. At the billabong, the baby turtle said, "Goodbye Emu".
Page 12
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal, mulkurun wäyin, ŋayi guya marrtjin ḏiṯthurr gapuŋur.
“Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu waŋan.
“Barrkun birr moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Gäḻumayyu lakaraŋal. “Nhaku muka?”
“Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She went along and then she saw a strange animal; he was catching fish in the water.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the pelican told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 14
“Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal ḏiltjilil ŋali buṯthuna.”
Buṯ, buṯ, buṯthurr. Garrwarrkurr maṉḏa gapulil moṉuklil buṯthurr.Bala miyapunuytja nhäŋal ŋoynha gapun.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump onto my back and we'll fly."
Flap, flap, flap. They flew through the sky to the sea.
The baby turtle looked down at the sea.
Page 16
Bala yan mirithirra ŋoy-ŋamathirrnydja bala yan ŋurrkanhaminan garrwarŋur bala ŋoylil munathalila.
She was so excited that she jumped off.
Page 18
Dhur… thuryuna bala ŋarakan burakirr. Dhurthur… yurr… gut! Ḏaŋgalknha.
Down, down, bang! She jumped.
She hurt her back.
Page 20
Bala ŋayi nhumandja moṉuknha gapu, bala gaḻ'yuna marrtji ŋayi, ga gaḻ'yun, ga gaḻ'yun yan ḻinygu. Buluny ŋayi ga gulkurun gaḻ'yun.
She could smell the sea. She crawled and crawled and crawled, until she couldn't crawl any more.
Page 22
Ga miyalknha marrtji, bala ŋayi nhäman miyapununy bala ḻaw'maraman, bala gäman moṉuklila gapulil.
Then a girl came along and saw the turtle, so she picked her up and carried her to the sea.
Page 24
Ŋunhi ŋayi dhäkay-ŋämany gapuny miyapunuytja, bala yan mirithirra ŋayi galŋa-djulŋithirr.
Bala ŋayi waythuna ḻarruman ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwnha.
When she felt the salt water, the turtle was very happy. Then away she went to look for her mother.
Page 26
Ga ḻinygun dhuwal dhäwuny.
And that is the end of the story.
Page 2
Yothuy ŋäthin ŋäṉḏiny ga bäpany, rirrikthurr ŋayi buthuru ga rathalay.
A little boy cried out to his mother and father. His ears hurt, and he had a headache.
Page 4
Bala ŋayi ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny marrtjin raŋilila manhdhapiḏiwnha.
His mother walked to the beach to collect manhdhapiḏi, a type of sea slug.
Page 6
Ŋayiny yothuny ga bäpa'mirriŋuny marrtjin ḻarruŋal baḏarrwu man'tjarrwu.
Meanwhile, the little boy and his father walked off in search of baḏarr, the paperbark tree, to collect its leaves.
Page 8
Yurr dhukarrdja maṉḏa märraŋal wäkwakmirrilil. Ga ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha bala waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
The two of them took the path that passed by the wäkwakmirr, the billabong. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 11
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Burukpili dhuwandja man'tjarr, ŋalparr'wu".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of burukpili, cheese-fruit, you can use them when you have a cough".
Page 12
Bala maṉḏa marrtjinan raŋilila ga ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha bala waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
Then they walked to the raŋi, the beach. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 15
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Malwan dhuwandja man'tjarr, mäpaṉgu".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of malwan, anative hibiscus, you can use them when you have a boil".
Page 16
Yarrupnha maṉḏa raŋi-ŋupara marrtjin, bala ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha ŋayi marrtjin raŋi-ŋupar ŋorran bala ŋayi yothuydja waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
They then climbed down the sand dunes and walked along the beach. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 19
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Rowu dhuwandja man'tjarr, djetjiw".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of rowu, the goat's foot creeper, you can use them when you have a scratch or a cut".
Page 20
Dhä-ŋur beŋuryiny maṉḏa nhäŋala djurryurr'nha gapu, waṉḏin gan. Bala yan maṉḏa dhunupan marrtjinany balayin dharpalil, ŋunhi wanha gan baḏarr dharpa dhärran.
Finally, they saw a rainwater stream. It led them straight to the bush where baḏarr, the paperbark trees, stood.
Page 22
Nhäŋal maṉḏa man'tjarrdja, bala ŋayiny bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal yothuwal bitjarr gam', "Gäthu, dhuwana baḏarrdja dharpa ga man'tjarr".
They saw the leaves, and the father told the little boy, "Son, this is baḏarr, and these are its leaves".
Page 25
Bala maṉḏa marrtjin gulkthurra man'tjarrdja, bala yan roŋiyinan wäŋalila.
They picked the leaves and headed home.
Page 27
Gäman maṉḏa marrtjin baḏarrdja man'tjarr muḻkurryu wäŋalildja. Gurthany gan ŋawyurra ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuy dhaŋalkkuŋal, ga gurthaŋurdja gan nhäran manhdhapiḏi.
They carried the leaves home on their heads. While they had been away, the little boy's mother had prepared gurtha, a fire. The manhdhapiḏi were already on the fire when they arrived home.
Page 29
Bäpa'mirriŋuydja ga yothuydja dhunupan yan gapun ḏiṯthurr rupa'lila, bala dhunupan yan buŋbuŋmaraŋala baḏarrdja man'tjarr gurthalila.
The little boy and his father scooped some water into a billy and put it straight onto the fire, to boil the baḏarr leaves they had collected.
Page 30
Dhawaṯmaraŋal maṉḏa gurthaŋurdja baḏarr rupa'mirr ga manhdhapiḏi, bala ŋulwitjkuŋala. Ga bäy ŋayi-i-i-i yal'yurr banikin baḏarrmirr, bala yothunhan maṉḏa ŋäṉḏiy ga bäpay lupmaraŋala ŋuruŋiyiny baḏarryu.
The manhdhapiḏi and baḏarr were taken off the fire and left to cool. The billy full of baḏarr medicine slowly cooled down, then the mother and father washed their little boy with it.
Page 33
Dhä-ŋur beŋuryiny ḻupmaranhaŋur yothuwal, maṉḏa ŋäṉḏiy ga bäpay rarryurr weka manhdhapiḏi buthurulila yothuwal.
After the little boy's mother and father had washed him, they dripped the liquid from the manhdhapiḏi into his ear.
Page 34
Bala ŋayi yothuny ḻayyurra, bala rälin ŋayi gan waṉḏi-waṉḏinany walŋathinan rerriŋurdja. Ga yakurrtja walalaŋ latjuny dhika bunan.
The little boy felt better, his earache and headache were starting to go away. The family all had a good rest that night.
Page 36
Ga wiripun walu djaḏaw'yurr, ŋayi yothuny gan buḻ'yurra bawalamirrikurra, bili walal warrpam'nha nhinanany gan ŋayaŋu-djulŋithinan.
The next morning, the little boy played excitedly, and the whole family felt happy again.
Page 2
Yolŋu walal barpuru marrtji raŋilil maypalwu.
Yesterday they went to the beach for shellfish.
Page 4
Marrtji walal barpuru, bala walal barpuru nhina raŋiŋur.
They went yesterday, then they sat at the beach.
Page 6
Buma walal barpuru gurtha, bala walal barpuru marrtji maypallil.
They collected firewood yesterday, then they went for shellfish.
Page 8
Buma walal marrtji barpuru maypal dharrwa. Bala walal barpuru maypal gäma raŋilil.
They went and collected lots of shellfish yesterday. They carried them to the beach.
Page 10
Djäma walal barpuru gurtha, bala walal barpuru bathan maypal gurthalil.
They made a fire yesterday, then they cooked the shellfish on the fire.
Page 12
Galkun walal barpuru maypalwu, bala walal barpuru nyaŋ'thun.
They waited for the shellfish yesterday, then they ate them.
Page 14
Bala walal barpuru marrtji wäŋalil.
Then they went home yesterday.
Ŋurruŋuny nhuma balaŋ marrtji ga ŋunhi nhuma ŋuli retjany nhäŋu, bala nhuma ŋuli gärrin, bala marrtji nhäŋun djitamawnha man’tjarrwu. Ga balanya ŋayi djitamany man'tjarr gam', yindi ga ḻiḻpam.
First of all, you should go and see the bush. Then you go into the bush and start looking for the leaves of yam. The leaf of the yam is big and flat.
Yaw'yurrnydja nhuma ŋuli djitamany ga yan bili ga maḻŋ'maraŋ, nhuma ŋuli ŋatha djitama. Balanya ŋayi ŋathany rumbal. Buŋu nhuma ŋuli marrtji dhaŋaŋ, bala nhuma ŋuli wäŋan riwarran maḻŋ'maraŋ, bala nhuma ŋuli guṉḏirrnha nhanapul.
Dig for the yams until you can easily find the food. The yam looks like this, it’s round and short. Dig as many as you can, then you can find a place to cook. You should always collect termite mound and put it on top of the fire.
Beŋurnydja nhuma ŋuli marrtji guḻunlila ga raŋan gulkthurr ga ṉorrutj wapmaraŋ manapul balayi raŋanlil. Dhuwandja ṉorrutj ga mulmu raŋanŋur.
After that you have to go to the billabong to strip some paperbark and grass and collect them together. This stem and grass go together with the paperbark.
Marrtji nhuma ŋuli bala ṉorrutjtja guṉḏirrlila ŋapalil rarr'yurr, bala djitamany marrtji guṉḏirrlila rulwaŋdhurr. Beŋuryiny raŋanthun marrtji dhaḻ'maraŋ djitamany, bala gapuynha yurr'yurr ga bulu dhaḻ'maraŋ raŋanthu. Bala munathaynha dholkuŋ, bala nhinin gi ŋir'yunmirra.
You can place the leaves on the termite mound on top, then put the yams on as well. Next, pick up the paperbark and place it around the yams, pour a little bit of water and close it again with the paperbark. Then cover it up with some sand, and sit and breath after all that hard work.
Dhuwandja meṉḏuŋ, dhiyaŋ ŋuli djitamany ralkthun.
Nhini walal märr wiyin' bala nhuma ŋuli warrkthurra djitamany bala raŋanlila rarr'yurr.
This is a snail; with this snail we scrape the yam and it looks like hot chips. Sit and wait a lot longer, then collect the yams and place them onto the paper bark.
Bala marrtji ŋäṉarrmaraŋun djitamany bala nhuma ŋuli ralkthurra marrtji ŋunhi djitamany.
Ralkthunaŋurnydja dhurrwaraŋur nhuma ŋuli gärruŋlila galkurr marrtji djitamany mala, bala riyalalila nhuma ŋuli gäŋu bala ḻupmaraŋun.
Next, peel off the skin from the yams, then you may scrape all the yams using the snail. After scraping the yams put them inside a mesh bag. Carry it straight to the stream and soak it.
Bala nhuma ŋuli ganarrthula waŋgany munha balayi gapulil, märr ŋayi ŋuli gapuynydja ŋunhi djitamany marin djalkthun. Ŋorri nhuma ŋuli djaḏaw'. Bala nhuma ŋuli marrtjin balayin riyalalila bala dhawaṯmaraŋun ŋunhi djitamany. Munha waŋganymirr ŋayi dhuwal ŋathany.
Leave it there for one night in the water, so that the water can get rid of the poison from the yams. You can sleep and go back at dawn. Then you may go back to the stream and collect the yams. This food is only for one night.
Dhäkaynydja ŋayi dhuwal djitamany manymak, ga rerrimiriw ŋayi dhuwal ŋathany. Baman'tja dhiyaŋ ŋathay ŋaḻapaḻmirrnydja walal limurruŋ gan nhina.
The taste of this yam is really good, and in this food, there is no sickness. A long time ago our old people were living with this food.
Waŋganymirr waluy ḻurrkun' dhalimbu mala gan nhinan gapuŋur.
One day three clams were sitting in the water.
Ga yäkuny walal ŋunhi Ḏiŋ', Ḏaŋ' ga Ḏoŋ'.
Their names were Ḏiŋ', Ḏaŋ' and Ḏoŋ'.
“Buwa Ḏoŋ'!” bitjarr Ḏaŋ' waŋan.
“Hey you Ḏoŋ'!” said Ḏaŋ'.
“Nhä way, Ḏaŋ'?” bitjarr ŋayiny Ḏoŋ'tja.
“What, Ḏaŋ'?” said Ḏoŋ'.
“Bili nhe lakaraŋal Ḏiŋ'kal?” Ḏoŋ'thu dhä-birrka'yurr.
“Did you tell Ḏiŋ'?” asked Doŋ'.
“Bäyŋu! B yŋu ŋarra lakaranha Ḏiŋ'kal” bitjarr ŋayi Ḏaŋ'tja.
“No! No l didn’t tell Ḏiŋ'” said Ḏaŋ'.
Bala ŋayiny Ḏoŋ'tja waŋanan Ḏaŋ'kal, “Ŋali lakaraman Ḏiŋ'kal.”
Then Ḏoŋ' said to Ḏaŋ', “Let’s go and tell Ḏiŋ'.”
Bala maṉḏa Ḏaŋ' ga Ḏoŋ' wäthurra Ḏiŋ'kun. “BUWA WAY! ḎIŊ'!”
Then Ḏaŋ' and Ḏoŋ' were calling out to Ḏiŋ'. “HEY! “ḎIŊ'!”
“Nhä way maṉḏa? Nhä Ḏaŋ'? Nhä way Ḏoŋ'?”, bitjarr ŋayi Ḏiŋ'tja buku-roŋanmaraŋal.
“Why did you two call out? What Ḏaŋ'? What is it Ḏoŋ'?” said Ḏiŋ'.
“Nhä nhe dhuwal dhuḏi-djinagalil ga dhärrany?” Yan maṉḏa ŋanya warku'yurr.
“Are you upside down with your backside up?” They were just making fun of him.
Bala Ḏiŋ'tja bilyurra dhunupayinan, bala walal dhurrwarany ḏapthurra, Ḏiŋ'!, Ḏaŋ'! ga Ḏoŋ'! Bala walal marrtjin ŋorra'ŋurranan.
Then Ḏiŋ' turned around the right way, then they closed their mouths, Ḏiŋ'!, Ḏaŋ'! and Ḏoŋ'! And they all went to sleep.
First published in 1984 as the chapters 'Water', 'Artifacts - Fishing Tools', 'Boats and Parts of Boats', 'Sharks and Rays', 'Shellfish, Crabs, Mangrove Worms etc' in Dhuwal Djambarrpuyŋu Dh ruk Mala Ga Mayali' printed and published by Yirrkala Community School LPC.
Reprinted in 2021.
Illustrations by Margaret Muṯuwili, Kenisha Gadatharryurwuy and Andie Clements.
Wäŋany ŋarraku gapuŋur. Nhä ŋarrany dhuwal?
My home is in the sea. What am I?
Moṉuktja gapu dhuwal ḻukanhamiriw.
Ŋunhiyiny gapu ŋuli ga bulyuna yan.
Yurr limurr dhu moṉukthuny gapuy bathan ŋarirri', miyapunu, ga dharrwa wiripu mala ŋatha ga warrakan'. Moṉuktja gapu limurr ŋuli yaka yan maḻŋ'maram raŋiŋur, wiripuny bawalamirriŋur.
Marakany limurr ŋuli malŋ'maram raŋanŋur dharpaŋur, yurr galki guḻu'guḻunmirriŋur.
Marrtji limurr ŋuli ga ŋunhi limurr ŋuli buḻuŋun nhäŋu raŋanŋur dharpaŋur bala limurr ŋuli djatthurra ŋunhiyi buḻuŋundja ḏakul'yun, bala ŋuli gapuny ḻarryuna beŋur dharpaŋurnydja yurrdhäkay-murrkthuna.
Guḻun'ŋurnydja nhe ŋuli maḻŋ'maraŋ raypiny, dhäkay-murrkthuna, ga moṉuk gapu.
Wiripuny ŋunhi manymak nyaŋ'thunaraw ga wiripuny yakan. Rarranhdharrmirriynydja guḻu'-guḻundja ŋuli baṉḏanydhirra. Ga gapuny ŋuli ga dhärra Rarranhdharrmirriy yan.
Warraga ḻup'maranhamirra ŋunhiny gapu.
Djurryurr'nydja gapu limurr ŋuli maḻŋ'maraŋ raŋiŋur, yurr waltjaṉmirriy. Bala ŋuli gapuny ga ŋunhi waṉḏirr djurryurr'nydja raŋikurra.
Rarranhdharrmirriynydja ŋayi ŋuli djurryurr'nydja gapu baṉḏanydhirra.
Maŋutjiny gapuŋuli ga dhärra bitjana bili baṉḏanydhinyamiriwnha, Rarranhdharrmirriynydja ŋayi ŋuli ŋunhi maŋutjiny gapu bäyŋun baṉḏanydhirr.
Yolŋuynydja walal ŋuli marrtji ŋunhiyin gapu birrka'yun.
Dhuwandja maŋutji gapu Dhuḏupuŋur.
Mayaŋ'ŋurnydja gapu limurr ŋuli maḻŋ'maram raypiny ga wiripuny moṉuknha yan.
Dhuwandja gapu moṉuk. Wiripuny mayaŋ'ŋur limurr ŋuli maḻŋ'maram raypinynha gapu. Dhuwandja mani ŋunhal Dhuḏupuŋur.
Riyalany gapu dhu ga waṉḏirr raypinynha dhika.
Ŋunhiyiny yaka moṉuk wo dhäkay-murrkthuna gapu, ŋunhiyiny raypinynha yan. Dhuwandja riyala ŋunhal Djoniŋur.
Wiripuny riyala gapu ŋuli ga waṉḏirr waltjaṉpuy ga rarranhdharrmirriynydja ŋunhiyiny gapu ŋuli baṉḏanydhirra. Dhuwandja gapu riyala ŋunhal Djoniŋur. Waltjaṉmirriy ŋuli ga dhuwandja riyala waṉḏirr.
Wiripuny riyala gapu nhakun dhuwal Guḻmanŋur. Dhuwandja gapu ŋuli ga bulyuna yan dhuŋgarra-ŋupana baṉḏanydhinyamiriwnha.
