Traditional | Nharangga Language Dictionary

bundu

English Word

1.a broad-leafed reed used to make fibre for fishing nets; 2.any grass or rush growing in swamps or in coastal areas; 3.the fibre made from bundu

Different ways of saying this word

buntu, puntu.

Definition/cultural note

Each man owned his own net which was six to eight feet long, 5-6 feet high, and usually of small mesh, suitable for mullet. Joined together, they might form a line many hundreds of feet long.- sometimes bigger nets were made for catching salmon. In fishing three or four nets might be joined together with sticks standing between to support them.- the people dived down to secure the fish.-bundles of grass were sometimes tied on the top of the nets to keep the fish from jumping over, and might help to keep the nets floating. (Egginton/Tindale)

Lexical Category

noun

Sound

Sound wav

Extra Information

scientific name for 1.: phragmites communis or phragmites australis

Childrens Dictionary Definition

blow, rope (for fishing nets)

bundunya

English Word

death adder

Different ways of saying this word

part of the Dreaming relating to Mangga manggaridi (Seven sisters)

Lexical Category

noun

Word Categories

Animals

Reptiles

Sound

Sound wav

Scientific Name

acanthopis antarcticus

Childrens Dictionary Definition

death adder

bunggudja

English Word

hit, chop

Different ways of saying this word

bunggwidja (more formal), pungkadja.related languages included Kaurna, Nukunu and Ngadjuri.

Definition/cultural note

- the verb stem is bunggu. Word endings are added directly onto the stem bunggu-dja.- see community grammar book The fragments of Budderers waddy for details of how to use Nharangga verbs.- the word as shared with related languages also extends this meaning to stab, bite, or kill.

Lexical Category

verb

Main Sentence English

we all clap hands together.

Sound