NSW Department of Education and TrainingRaps and book raps
The Binna Binna man book rap
Author: Meme McDonald and Boori Monty Pryor
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 1999
Cover and text photographs by Meme McDonald.
Cover reproduced with kind permission of Allen & Unwin.
McDONALD, Meme & PRYOR, Boori Monty

The Binna Binna man Word Bank

Girragundji is the boy's totem. In Aboriginal society you would be given your totem at birth. Your would be given a totem depending on your mother's and father's totems, and your language. For example, I would take my totem from my mother, whose totem is the black snake. I would either be given the black snake totem or something related to the black snake. This meant that I had to protect my totem, so that it protected me. I would not be allowed to kill or eat my totem.

Boori's language words Meaning Aboriginal words eg Wiradjuri language
eungee/hairyman spirit/quinkins birik ghost, spirit
wandang a bad spirit
migaloo Non-Aboriginal all Aboriginal languages have a word or words for non-Aboriginal people, men or women. gabaa is said to have come from the English term government.
jalbu Woman - all Aboriginal languages have a word or words for term woman.
  • Inarr woman
  • Inarrgang girl
  • Migay girl, woman marriageable young woman
  • Migay-gang young woman unmarried
murris Aboriginal people all Aboriginal groups in Australia had their own language name. The Aboriginal nation that I belong to is called the Wiradjuri. In NSW we have around 70 Aboriginal language groups/nations.
mooyu bottom buubuul or dhuula
dhunghai take off, to go yanaay
yumba aunty's hut balaan aunt, guunji - hut
boodgies farts buurray
beargin don't know  
gulmra toilet giliwaa geel, guunang
yidinji next door tribe garriya
munyard bush murri ngaarrabang poor thing, poor fellow
nungas Aboriginal people buudhang, koori also means the colour black
wongy nuts gwaangi mad silly
yibulla Watch ngaaga
bibras clap sticks barrgan, balgaang boomerang used as clap sticks
whitefulla medicine grog/alcohol weejali
durries smokes biyaga tobacco, buundha cigarette

Back to top of page

Meanings of other words
used throughout the story
Listed below is a list taken from the book, these words are spoken and written in Aboriginal English
Mission/Reserve most Reserves or Missions have Aboriginal names whitefulla non-Aboriginal
deadly is often used by Aboriginal people to describe something that is great cause because
sorry business refers to times when someone has passed away fulla fellow
dot bottom sis sister
Elders respected people of your nation mob group
bullymen cops gammin pretend
small house lock up cus cousin
big house jail m'face my face

Activities

Can you find the names of Missions/Reserves in NSW and their meaning?

Can you find any other words in Aboriginal English? Write them down with the English version

youse you people
gawn gone
eh hey
aw oh
s'pose suppose

Back to top of page


Translated Documents arranged by Language
Neals Copyright State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2007.
This work may be freely reproduced and distributed for personal, educational or government purposes.
Permission must be received from the Department for all other uses. Licensed Under NEALS