I AM KAMBUWAL - KAMILAROI
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:26 am
This was on the old site. The Kamilaroi or Gamilaraay are an Indigenous Australian people who are from the area between Tamworth and Goondiwindi, and west to Narrabri, Walgett and Lightning Ridge, in northern New South Wales. In the south-west, their country extends to Coonabarabran and the eastern foothills of the Warrumbungle Ranges.They were known to travel the area where our sheep property was bordering into what is now Sundown National Park - this is their story.
This is an audio I did for it http://pool.abc.net.au/media/i-am-kambuwal-kamilaroi
I AM KAMBUWAL - KAMILAROI
Kamilaroi and Bundjalung joined for feasting and for singing.
To trade weapons and hear stories..voices raised..and echoes ringing.
Sacred site of Woollool Woollool ** saw Bundjalung passing by
From the Downs came Gooneburra walking neath the nightime sky.
On fruit and Bogan Moth they feasted. Warmed by softest Muthay * fur,
they traded spears from Traprock country. Axes sharp as Eagles spur.
Near Red Rock Falls below Mt Lofty, on the banks of Ooline Creek.
Travelers came and travelers gathered, all to trade, and all to speak.
A nubile maiden, Araluen, caught the eye of young Kulan.
He was a Kumbuwal warrior. Initiated...now a man.
At the Boorook stones young Kulan watched by elders of his tribe,
bravely bore the ritual cutting with his Father at his side.
Round the flickering campfires firelight , all were gathered and stories told.
Thick Muthay* cloaks wrapped close around to keep away the night time cold.
They spoke of Baine the God of Sky , all present asked their God for rain.
Begged his wife Birrahgnooloo - Goddess of Flood to soak the plains..
Stories were told of great injustice. Brothers shot at Dumaresq
Whether for wrong or just for hatred? None were sure for none confessed.
Tales were told of Brothers hunted and throw from atop Bluff Rocks
by the white boss of Bolivia**. Black faces showed grief and shock.
So quickly now changes were coming. Death and sickness touched the land.
Their tribal sites were disregarded, white boss ruled with heavy hand.
Native Troopers now were riding Yarramans*, their hooves steel shod.
Black Trackers hunted black Brothers, reading sign where they had trod.
Somewhere Grey Bandaarr* he was hiding. Wooly thimba* everywhere.
The tribal lands despoiled by fences, much to the hunters despair.
Deepest scrub now sheltered Wan guy. * Seen no more upon the plains.
Frightened by the sounds of wanda*. Barking dogs and rattling chains
Around the fires blaze they sat. Small babies slept in coolamons.*
All night the camp fires burned so bright. The talking just went on and on.
Araluen smiled at Kulan, subtle glance from maiden fair.
Slowly night gave way to morning, sweet romance was in the air.
The sacred sites, and rocks and creeks ? They are still there. The trees grow strong..
Descendants of the two young lovers? Yes they're here. They know their song.
This was many years ago, a hundred plus have been and gone,
of those tribes, well few remain, but memories are passed along.
They feel her pulse, they heed her call, their souls are still bound to the land.
Sweet Araluen lives in legend and Kulan beside her stands.
Though no longer walking country, as their ancestors did before
they know the secrets Thawun* hold, the bounty that she holds in store.
Maureen Clifford ©
Kamilaroi Words
*
Woolool Woolool sacred site
muthay possum
yarramans horses
wan guy pademelon wallaby
wanda white man
bandaarr kangaroo
thimba sheep
coolamon carrying basket
Thawun Mother Earth
** Aboriginals were accused of killing a shepherd on Bolivia Station in the Tenterfield area and were hunted down and thrown from the top of Bluff Rocks.
This is an audio I did for it http://pool.abc.net.au/media/i-am-kambuwal-kamilaroi
I AM KAMBUWAL - KAMILAROI
Kamilaroi and Bundjalung joined for feasting and for singing.
To trade weapons and hear stories..voices raised..and echoes ringing.
Sacred site of Woollool Woollool ** saw Bundjalung passing by
From the Downs came Gooneburra walking neath the nightime sky.
On fruit and Bogan Moth they feasted. Warmed by softest Muthay * fur,
they traded spears from Traprock country. Axes sharp as Eagles spur.
Near Red Rock Falls below Mt Lofty, on the banks of Ooline Creek.
Travelers came and travelers gathered, all to trade, and all to speak.
A nubile maiden, Araluen, caught the eye of young Kulan.
He was a Kumbuwal warrior. Initiated...now a man.
At the Boorook stones young Kulan watched by elders of his tribe,
bravely bore the ritual cutting with his Father at his side.
Round the flickering campfires firelight , all were gathered and stories told.
Thick Muthay* cloaks wrapped close around to keep away the night time cold.
They spoke of Baine the God of Sky , all present asked their God for rain.
Begged his wife Birrahgnooloo - Goddess of Flood to soak the plains..
Stories were told of great injustice. Brothers shot at Dumaresq
Whether for wrong or just for hatred? None were sure for none confessed.
Tales were told of Brothers hunted and throw from atop Bluff Rocks
by the white boss of Bolivia**. Black faces showed grief and shock.
So quickly now changes were coming. Death and sickness touched the land.
Their tribal sites were disregarded, white boss ruled with heavy hand.
Native Troopers now were riding Yarramans*, their hooves steel shod.
Black Trackers hunted black Brothers, reading sign where they had trod.
Somewhere Grey Bandaarr* he was hiding. Wooly thimba* everywhere.
The tribal lands despoiled by fences, much to the hunters despair.
Deepest scrub now sheltered Wan guy. * Seen no more upon the plains.
Frightened by the sounds of wanda*. Barking dogs and rattling chains
Around the fires blaze they sat. Small babies slept in coolamons.*
All night the camp fires burned so bright. The talking just went on and on.
Araluen smiled at Kulan, subtle glance from maiden fair.
Slowly night gave way to morning, sweet romance was in the air.
The sacred sites, and rocks and creeks ? They are still there. The trees grow strong..
Descendants of the two young lovers? Yes they're here. They know their song.
This was many years ago, a hundred plus have been and gone,
of those tribes, well few remain, but memories are passed along.
They feel her pulse, they heed her call, their souls are still bound to the land.
Sweet Araluen lives in legend and Kulan beside her stands.
Though no longer walking country, as their ancestors did before
they know the secrets Thawun* hold, the bounty that she holds in store.
Maureen Clifford ©
Kamilaroi Words
*
Woolool Woolool sacred site
muthay possum
yarramans horses
wan guy pademelon wallaby
wanda white man
bandaarr kangaroo
thimba sheep
coolamon carrying basket
Thawun Mother Earth
** Aboriginals were accused of killing a shepherd on Bolivia Station in the Tenterfield area and were hunted down and thrown from the top of Bluff Rocks.