Biogeography, Ecology, & Modelling (BEAM)
Ngura Nandamari
BEAM sought cultural permission from the Dharawal people via the Gujaga Foundation to obtain an official translation of the lab: Ngura Nandamari (Looking at Country)
​
Gujaga Foundation recommends using the below in Dharawal Language to name our Research Group, which is understanding the distribution of species and ecosystems (biogeography), ecological interactions and processes (ecology), and the application of mathematical and computational models (modelling) to analyse and predict environmental patterns and changes.
The Gujaga Foundation is the peak organisation leading language, cultural workshops and experiences, and consultancy within the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
​​
As a not-for-profit organisation funds generated by such programs are used to provide access and teachings of language and cultural heritage to the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
Gujaga works collaboratively with Elders, knowledge holders and leading academics to provide services to educational, cultural and corporate organisations relating to our cultural area within eastern, southern and southwestern Sydney.
​​
The La Perouse Aboriginal community was established in 1883 as a permanent Aboriginal settlement on the northern headland of Gamay through the actions of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board. The remaining Aboriginal people from camps around Sydney Harbour and Gamay at that time were relocated there.
Today, La Perouse is considered a discrete Aboriginal community which includes families with ancient and unbroken roots to coastal Sydney.
Dharawal language
In the 1860’s Turuwul (now pronounced Dharawal) was described as The language of the now ‘extinct tribe’ of Port Jackson and Botany Bay (from John Malone, a half-caste, whose mother was of that tribe) and was the first known language name for the greater Sydney area. ​
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. ​
​In traditional culture there were many variants of language spoken within a cultural area including men or women’s version, clan group versions, children language and secret language to name a few. The clan groups such as Gadigal, Birrabirragal, Bidiagal, Cobragal and Gweagal all spoke the overarching language belonging to their cultural area, Dharawal. ​
​​
Darug, another name for a language/tribe whose cultural area is now in the greater Sydney area, was a term documented in the 1890’s from an Aboriginal person named Jim Lowndes. Mr Lowndes described his language (Dharuk) being spoken at places such as Penrith, Parramatta and went as far east to Sydney where it merged into the Thurawal (now pronounced Dharawal). ​
*information provided by the Gujaga foundation
Level 1, Unit 18, 1801 Botany Road,
Banksmeadow NSW 2019​
