The importance of language.
Joy Bonner of Hervey Bay understands the importance of remembering. Joy is doing everything she can to make sure her traditional language, Butchulla, is not forgotten.
Greetings in Butchulla, sharing conversations with children and rediscovering songs from the past, are all helping to keep the language alive.
In this video Joy shares a lullaby her mother would sing to her as a child, Yunma-n Walabai, Walbai Yunma-n.
Yunma-n Walabai, Walbai Yunma-n
Bula walalbai mil nhaa Biral (Two little eyes to look up to God)
Bula walalbai binang buranga ngunda yaalam (Two little ears to hear his word)
Kalim walalbai dunam yaalam galangoor (One little tongue to speak the truth)
Yunma-n walalbai walbai yunman (Sleep little baby sleep)
Yunma-n walalbai walbai yunman (Sleep little baby sleep)
Yunma-n walalbai walbai yunman (Sleep little baby sleep)
Performed and written by Joy Bonner in Butchulla
- This article originally appears at:
- https://open.abc.net.au/openregions/qld-wide-bay-71AY7Fz/posts/butchulla-lullaby-34kf2hh
- Article taken from the following publication:
- ABC Open
- Article submitted by:
- Author:
- Brad Marsellos
