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y separately published work icon Aboriginal Legends From the Bibulmun Tribe selected work   prose   dreaming story   Indigenous story   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 1981... 1981 Aboriginal Legends From the Bibulmun Tribe
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A collection of stories and legends from the Bibulmun people in south-west Western Australia. Statement on dust-jacket claims that this is the first written recording of the legends of the Bibulmun nation.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Adelaide, South Australia,:Rigby , 1981 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
The Bobtail Goanna and the Emu, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
This is the story of how the goanna stole the emu's coloured coat and has to crawl on his belly.
 (p. 8-11)
The Emu, the Possum, and the Brush Kangaroo, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Three indigenous spirits are punished for their bad behaviour, banished from the tribe and take the form of the emu, possum and brush kangaroo.
 (p. 12-14)
Snow, the Jenark Kangaroo, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Hunters are encouraged by the Jenark spirit to find other lands to support their community's need for food.
 (p. 15-17)
The Crow and the Magpie, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
This is the story of the separation of the jealous crow brothers into crow and magpie.
 (p. [18]-20)
The Magpie and the Curlew, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
After the rape of his wife, Crraala, Coorrla, the magpie, defeats Wirrla, the Curlew and becomes the champion warrior of the tribe.
 (p. 21-24)
The Red-Tailed and the White-Tailed Cockatoos, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Two cockatoos travel from afar seeking the hand of Quorberdart in marriage. While waiting for her response, the tails of the cockatoos are painted with ochre by disgruntled spirits.
 (p. 25-28)
The Executioner, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
A tale of good and evil in which the execcutioner travels by day in the form of a man, but pursues his victim, Quorbart, in the form of a large red dog.
 (p. 29-31)
The Chitty-Chitty and the Red Spirit Dog, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's Indigenous story
The Chitty-Chitty (or, Willie Wagtail) transforms into a Red Spirit Dog to lure an adventurous young boy away from his tribe. The boy is rescued by his grandfather, the old Mubarrn man, and returns to the camp as hero. At the same time he is scolded by his parents and warned to never again stray from the camp.
 (p. 32-34)
The Chitty-Chitty and Robin Redbreast, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's Indigenous story
A creation story that explains the blood-red colouring on the Robin Redbreast's chest as the Chitty-Chitty (Willie Wagtail) tribe and the Kaarllmoot (Robin) tribe fight for hunting rights in Nyoongar country.
 (p. 35-38)
The Swan Brothers, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
An explanation of the origins of the Swan River Tribe when Bibulmun warriors were sent to the Werrening river to establish the Moornuwooling and Ngnitteeyung (black and white swans) tribes. This also explains the companionship of black and white swans in the area.
 (p. 39-43)
Waargle, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
The story of a'second Creation' when, distressed by tribal disharmony and the effects of incestuous relations, a group of Bibulmun people were led by the Korrndon Marma Man to resettle at Boyagin Rock and create a new, harmonious and lawful tribe.
 (p. 44-[46])
Meelya the Parrot, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Meelya, the deformed daughter of Boonyuk, a Bibulmun elder, is transformed by the Korrndon Marma Man, the Great Creator, into the form of a parrot so she no longer suffers physical pain and the cruelty of other children.
 (p. 47-49)
Kaakaa the Kookaburra, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
A story that explains the Bibulmun people's distrust of the kookaburra. When the inconsiderate Kaakaa plays foolish pranks on the Bibulmun warriors, he is punished by being given a new life as the Kaakaa (Kookaburra) and is forever in conflict with the Bibulmun people.
 (p. 50-53)
Bilbarr, Waitch, and Koomurra, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Bilbarr (the black goanna) protects Waitch (the emu) and Koomurra (the bronze-winged pigeon) as sources of food for the Bibulmun tribe.
 (p. 54-58)
Dwert the Dingo, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Threatened by the vicious and cruel nature of one of their hunters, the Bibulmun people ask the council to punish him. The hunter is banished to become the leader of the Dwert, or Dingo, tribe and guards the Bibulmun people from a distance.
 (p. 59-62)
Choonya the Turtle, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
This story explains the creation of the Turtle, Choonya, and his ability to stay under water for a long time to hide from hunters.
 (p. 63-65)
Kullari the Gecko, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Kullari the hunter encourages the Bibulmun tribe to perform corroboree for rain and is rewarded for his wisdom by being made leader of the Kullari (Goanna) tribe. This is why the goanna always leads to water.
 (p. 66-68)
Kudgar, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Kudgar, the mighty Bibulmun warrior, is sent to the salt lake area to perform corroboree for seven consecutive nights in order to save the tribe from a long drought.
 (p. 69-72)
Mopoke, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Gnoornding sleeps during the day instead of at night, so misses most of the tribal ceremonies. The council elders decide that he should take the form of the Mopoke, which means 'tiredness' in the language of the Bibulmun people.
 (p. 73-76)
Karepah the Shag, Eddie Bennell , single work prose children's dreaming story
Karetbah and Karetdoonging behave more like birds than children. Since they are so comforable and happy in the water, the council of elders transform them into the karepah, or shag, to be guarded by the Bibulmun people for all time.
 (p. 77-[79])
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Last amended 9 Apr 2010 10:19:24
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