Bunji: Aboriginal English for mate. Eg. “How're you doing bunji?” Corroboree: An assembly of sacred, festive or warlike character.
Contributor's comments: Aboriginal word for mate, usually used when addressing a friend. Sometimes shortened to Bunj: "Hey Bunji" or "G'day Bunj."
They include bunji, "a mate, a close friend a kinsman" (from Warlpiri and other languages of the Northern Territory and northern Queensland), boorie, "a boy, a child" (from Wiradjuri), jarjum, "a child" (from Bundjalung), kumanjayi, "a substitute name for a dead person" (from Western Desert language), pukamani "a ...
Gubbah, also spelt gubba, is a term used by some Aboriginal people to refer to white people or non-Aboriginal people. The Macquarie Dictionary has it as "n. Colloq. (derog.)
Assimilationist terms such as 'full-blood,' 'half-caste' and 'quarter-caste' are extremely offensive and should never be used when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aborigines • native/native Australians • lost (e.g. Lost language, cultures).
Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.
Overall there are many common words in Noongar, for example: kaya = hello, moort = family, boodja = country and yongka = kangaroo. These words are used everyday but they sound slightly different from region to region.
kesalul - I love you.
The Wurundjeri people believe an ancestral Wedge-tailed Eagle called 'Bunjil' created the land. Bunjil originated from a falling star, and as he fell from the sky, he blew air from his beak to create the earth we live on today. He scratched in the soil with his talons, and the first trees and plants started to grow.
Bunjil is the Ancestral Wedge-tailed Eagle, the creator. Waa is the Ancestral Crow, the protector. Bunjil created much of south-eastern Australia and the features and animals within it. He also created people, by breathing life into figures moulded from clay.
Why not say 'Hello' in an Aboriginal Language? Wominjeka means Hello/Welcome in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people of Kulin Nation – the traditional owners of Melbourne. Yumalundi means Hello in the Ngunnawal language. The Ngunnawal people are the traditional owners of the Canberra region.
Bunjil – the Creator
Long ago Bunjil, the Wedge-Tail Eagle, was a very powerful man. He was the headman of the Kulin. Bunjil had two wives and a son whose name was Binbeal, the Rainbow, whose wife was the second bow, sometimes seen showing fainter than the first.
Brolly: an umbrella (or brolly for short) is an essential in Melbourne's famously moody climate. Budgie smugglers: otherwise known as Speedos, budgie smugglers are an item of men's swimwear. Bush: this is what Aussies call their countryside.
Ceno or Cenno, the Centrelink office. Also used to refer to a fortnightly payment (pension or otherwise) from the Centrelink office. Chalkie, a teacher.
To be judged as being in a number one position or to be leading a long-runing competition: I'm top of the wozza in the boss's eyes. Or: I'm top of the wozza in the footy tipping competition.
There is no one Aboriginal word that all Aborigines use for Australia; however, today they call Australia, ""Australia"" because that is what it is called today. There are more than 250 aboriginal tribes in Australia. Most of them didn't have a word for ""Australia""; they just named places around them.
This term is considered outdated and highly offensive by many people across Australia. The expression is used, though, by Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander people amongst ourselves. However, many would find it offensive for a person who is not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to use this expression.
Basically there is no phrase for thank you. Is a common greeting in outback NSW for aboriginals. But honestly, although your intentions are good, it is not expected and may not be appreciated. Perhaps it would be more prudent for you to ask a friendly aboriginal guide out that way, if you get a chance.
Acknowledgement of Country should be everyone's responsibility. Why is the term "Aunty" and "Uncle" used so widely in the Aboriginal Community? Put simply - RESPECT! It also relates to recognition of Aboriginal Elders, kinship and extended families.
Koori (or Koorie)
Koori is a term denoting an Aboriginal person of southern New South Wales or Victoria. 'Koori' is not a synonym for 'Aboriginal'. There are many other Aboriginal groups across Australia (such as Murri, Noongar, Yolngu) with which Indigenous Australians may identify themselves.
Brotherboy and sistergirl: Aboriginal communities use these terms to describe transgender people and their relationships as a way of validating and strengthening their gender identities and relationships. Non-trans but non-conforming Aboriginal people may also use these terms.
It may not be appropriate for non-Aboriginal people to use these terms. 'Walkabout' and 'Koori time' are other terms based on cultural practices that are often trivialised or used to mock people. Non-Aboriginal Australia has made a habit of misappropriating and trivialising culturally significant practices.
Contrary to some versions of both the 'baby talk' and 'proto-world' approaches, mama in Australia is mostly found as 'father', not 'mother', and papa is found as 'mother' in some areas. Mama is a possible candidate for Proto Pama-Nyungan 'father'.
Gathering as much information about your family history as possible can help determine if you're of Aboriginal descent, and an incorporated Indigenous organisation can help you determine if you are indeed of Aboriginal descent.