Country Connections (Dharawal)

The language spoken by the traditional owners of Coastal Sydney is Dharawal. Hear how to introduce yourself in Dharawal and try for yourself.

Introduce yourself in Dharawal

The language spoken by the traditional owners of Coastal Sydney is Dharawal. Dharawal is also the name for the Cabbage Tree Palm, the overarching spirit ancestor (totem) for people that speak the Dharawal language and belong to the Dharawal nation.

How to introduce yourself in Dharawal
Introduce yourself in Dharawal
naggangbi (greeting)
ngayagang [your name] (my name is_____)
bidiagalgulli nguranhung ngalamanjang (I am standing on Bidiagal clan Country)
gamamaringay dharawal-langa (I am speaking in Dharawal)

Animal list 
You might have spotted a few animals in this area, here are some animals and their Dharawal name. Can you say them?

  • Ant - bidira

  • Blue-Tongue Lizard - magadaang

  • Brushtail Possum - guruwara 

  • Snake-Necked Turtle - (freshwater) - bilima 

  • Snake - gari

Listen to animal names

Want to learn more?

 Download the Dharawal Language and Culture App (www.gujaga.org.au/dharawal-language-app). Capturing Indigenous language and cultural knowledge to be enjoyed for future generations. Or visit the Gujaga Foundation for more information

Logo of Gujaga Foundation with silhouettes of people holding hands around blue and green circles.