Who Are the Bundjalung?
The Bundjalung (also Bunjalung, Bunjulung) are Aboriginal Australian people of the northern coast of New South Wales and adjacent southern Queensland, numbering approximately 7,000-10,000 people claiming Bundjalung descent. They speak the Bundjalung language (and related dialects), part of the Pama-Nyungan family. Bundjalung country extends from the Clarence River in the south to the Logan and Albert Rivers in the north, including the coastal towns of Byron Bay, Lismore, and Tweed Heads. This region—known today as the Northern Rivers—is characterized by rainforests, coastal areas, and fertile river valleys.
Rich Environment
Bundjalung country encompasses one of Australia's most resource-rich environments. The combination of rainforest, coastal, and riverine ecosystems provided diverse food sources supporting relatively large and stable populations before colonization. The sea provided fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. Rivers yielded fish, eels, and freshwater species. Rainforests offered fruits, nuts, and terrestrial game. This abundance supported complex social organization with regular gatherings and ceremonies. Archaeological evidence indicates thousands of years of occupation. The richness of the environment made Bundjalung country particularly attractive to European settlers, leading to rapid dispossession after the 1840s.
The Three Brothers
Bundjalung creation narratives center on the Three Brothers who arrived from across the sea, establishing the laws and customs of the people. This origin story, shared across Bundjalung groups with local variations, describes how the brothers traveled through the country, creating landscape features and establishing social order. Mount Warning (Wollumbin) holds particular significance as a sacred site associated with these narratives. The Three Brothers story provides a charter for Bundjalung identity and connection to country. Contemporary Bundjalung people continue to maintain these narratives and their associated responsibilities to country and community.
Contemporary Bundjalung
Modern Bundjalung navigate life in one of Australia's fastest-growing regions. The Northern Rivers has attracted alternative lifestyle seekers, retirees, and tourists, transforming communities like Byron Bay. This growth creates both opportunities and pressures. Native title claims have resulted in recognition of some Bundjalung traditional ownership. Aboriginal organizations provide services and advocate for community interests. The Bundjalung language is undergoing revitalization efforts. Cultural tourism and art provide economic and cultural opportunities. Yet the popularity of the region creates concerns about cultural commodification and land access. How the Bundjalung maintain identity and secure benefits in their rapidly changing homeland shapes their future.
References
- Crowley, T. (1978). The Middle Clarence Dialects of Bandjalang
- Gummow, M. (1992). "The Power of the Past in the Present: Aboriginal Music in Australia"
- Tindale, N. B. (1974). Aboriginal Tribes of Australia