A Kundedjnjenghmi
Wordlist of
Eco-zone Terminology
Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, AO.
compiled by Murray Garde
for Northern Land Council
Caring for Country Unit
Indigenous Knowledge Recording Project
Kabulwarnamyo, Arnhem Land Plateau
Kawarddemorrhmorrboy
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 1
Note:
When looking for a term, remember that Bininj Kunwok is a polysynthetic language with gender prefixes namely:
kun-, (m)an-, (ng)al- and na- and various pronoun prefixes. Words are sorted according to the first letter of the root
of the word after the prefix. This is because there can be many different prefixes on the same root and prefixes can vary
from dialect to dialect. Many terms for landscape features in Bininj Kun-wok are verbs and so some constructions
start with the third person singular prefixes i.e. ka- ‘it’. Others may allow locative prefixes such as ku- or mi-.
Abbreviations: n. –noun, v.i. –intransitive verb, v.t. – transitive verb, v.refl. – reflexive verb, Djnj=
Kundedjnjenghmi, Gdj= Gundjeihmi I= Kuninjku, W= Kunwinjku, E= Kune.
balad
n.
a kind of white clayish soil
Ngurrurdu ka-ngun balad kabi-kombukyiwe ka-re wanjh kukku ka-bongun.
Emus eat white clayish soil and it makes them thirsty and so they go and drink after eating it.
ba-warddengarlhmi v.i.
see warddengarlhmi
ba-ruy yerrikahwi phrase
see ruy yerrikahwi
bambarr n.
dead end valley or narrow gully which are the sites chosen for fire drives to trap kangaroos which become
injured by fire and can be easily speared.
• Makka ngarri-di manekke kunj yiman ba kah-re man-bambarr ka-bidbun, yah ngarri-yame.
We stand there in them (the gullies), and if the kangaroos go up the narrow gully then we spear them.
dialect= Djnj, Gdj, E, I, W
bangahbangam prefix= kunn.
escarpment, rocky outcrop
[note: this is mother-in-law register, ordinary language= kunwarddewardde]
barlmarradja n.
wind name which blows from the west in wet season dialect= Djnj
barndahbarndarr prefix= ann.
grove of turkey bush Calytrix exstipulata
dialect= Djnj
barra n.
wet season wind, north-west monsoons. Loan from Makassarese bára? 'west wind, rainwind'.
barrahbarrarn prefix= kuloc.
in a maze of gorges (on the ground or along watercourses)
barrarnno n.
variant= (m)an-barrarn
1. steep or vertical cliff face, ridge
2. gorge or narrow rift in escarpment country
3. washed out rut on the road
4. the conical mouth insert in woven fish traps
dialect= I, E, Djnj
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 2
barrarndjarrinjmang prefix kav.i.
a gorge which is dissected by another gorge at right angles
barrarndjokko prefix= ku-, an-, mann.
narrow canyon or gorge
barrarnwern prefix ka- , anv.i.
place with many gorges, dissected plateau country, criss-crossing of gorges on a plateau
beberrk prefix= ann.
variant= (m)an-behbeberrk, ku-behbeberrk, mi-behbeberrk
large expanse of open country usually with little or no water
Note: this is a reduplicated form of –berrk to indicate relative size of the area or vastness.
behbeberrk ka-warddeyirriyo prefix= kun.
low ridge line(s) or rock line(s) surrounded by savanna bushland
bele prefix= kundew
Kun-bele, ka-warrwarrhme kure dabbulin kun-kurrayak anbu.
Dew which forms on a tarpaulin, it means there’s no wind.
berrk prefix= an-, man-, kun.
Variant=berrkno
1. dry woodland or open plain country with little water or no watercourses.
2. outside (in opposition to ‘inside’)
• An-berrk boyak, yiman kayime kurorrbo.
The open plain country where there is no water, in open country (few or no large trees/shrubs).
• Ngarrih-nang an-berrk bidbom kinga.
We saw that the crocodile had climbed up and out in the open (ie. out of the water). dialect= Djnj, Gdj
other dialect: I, W, E = man-berrk
berrk ba-rrarlehminj prefix= ann.
forest which has many dead trees and other dried out or dead vegetation
[an-berrk ba+darlehminj, d>rr in between vowels]
berrk ba-wernhruy prefix= ansavanna severely burnt by a large hot fire
dialect= Djnj, Gdj, other dialects= man-berrk wernhruy
berrkdubbe an-djuyh prefix= ansavanna with very dense Eucalyptus bleeseri coverage
berrkmarren reflexive verb
place where two named locations meet up at an open plain
•..... ka-baldurndeng nani kanjdji ka-reh Ngaldaddubbe kondah, Ngaldaddubbe Nagarlwagarlwa kabanberrkmarren
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 3
.... it goes back down to Ngaldaddubbe here where Ngaldaddubbe and Nagarlwagarlwa meet together in
open plain country.
berrkrorrbo prefix= kan.
open savanna with few trees
berrkwarlah n.
savanna bushland which is open and expansive
berrk ‘savanna bushland’ –waralh ‘wide, expansive’
berrkyahwurd n.
small patch of savanna bushland
berrk ‘savanna bushland’ –yahwurd ‘small’
berrkyirriyo prefix= kan.
dry open lines or strips of savanna forest between outcrops or ridges of stone country, escarpment outlier
country, the bush inbetween parallel rocky ridge lines
bidjurdu n.
dust devil
dialect= Djnj, I
other dialect, W= nadjardawo
birrhbibirr prefix=ann.
grove of Verticordia decusata/verticillata trees. dialect= Djnj
bobarrarn prefix= (m)an-, kun.
river gorge
dialect= Djnj other dialect: E, I, W = manbobarrarn
bobarrarndi prefix kav.i.
river gorge is there, stands there
• Kabobarrarndi.
There’s a river gorge there.
bobarrarnkimuk prefix= anvery large river valley
bobarrarndi prefix= kav.i.
river gorge is there, stands there
• Kabobarrarndi.
There’s a river gorge there.
bobarrarnmarren prefix= kav.reflexive
confluence of two river gorges
bobele prefix= (m)ann.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 4
clear fresh water
boberl prefix=ann.
small creek, tributary of ankabo ‘river’
boberlwern prefix= (m)ann.
plain country with numerous braided streams, water course with many tributaries
boberlkimuk prefix= (m)ann.
main stream as opposed to a tributary, river
dialect= Djnj, Gdj (an- prefix), E, W, I = man-boberlkimuk.
bokurduk prefix= (m)andirty water
bobele prefix=kav.i.
clear fresh water
boberl prefix= (m)ann.
tributary, small watercourse branching off from a larger stream
boberldulubun prefix= kav.i.
the tributary of a water course and another creek, usually where a smaller creek meets a larger stream.
boberlduluburren prefix= kav.reflexive
braided streams
boberlkimuk prefix= (m)ann.
main stream as opposed to a tributary, river dialect= Djnj
boberlno n.
creek, small tributary of a creek
boberlwern prefix= an-/mann.
plain country with numerous braided streams
•Makkalarl, Maburrinj, Djalbangurrk, Kumalabukka an-boberlwern.
Makkalarl, Maburrinj, Djalbangurrk, Kumalabukka (are sites) in plain country with numerous braided
streams.
boberlyahwurd prefix= (m)ann.
small tributary as opposed to the main channel or river
dialect= Djnj, Gdj (an- prefix), E, W, I = man-boberlyahwurd.
bodird prefix= an-
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 5
variant= ankabodird
n.
bright sand (reflecting light) under the water in a creek or river.
bodjarnare prefix= kav.i.
flowing of white water or water with foam
bodjawoywayhme prefix= kav.i.
the rising mist associated with a large and powerful waterfall
bodjeledjelhme prefix= kadripping of water, seepage dripping
Kune dialect= ka-kolhdjeledjelhme
bodume prefix= ka- (prefix can be ommitted)
v.i.
where a river meanders to create a wide outer bank.
bolkrorrbo kunj djurleno prefix- kaopen grassland with a few shady trees under which kangaroos like to rest
bokaba prefix kunvariant= kun-kabokaba, kabokaba
n.
the combined landscape of flat rocky bars and shallow water typical of many western Arnhem Land plateau
water courses.
dialect= Djnj
bokala prefix= nan.
the strong current of water in a flood dialect= E.
cf. Burarra bugala 'water'.
bokolung prrefix= kav.i.
small waterfall, gurgling brook, e.g. the brook at Kulnguki in the Mok clan estate.
bokurrmehkurrme prefix= kav.i.
water lying around in many pools (from which animals can drink)
Note this is a verbal expression ‘it-water-put-puts’
bokurrungbun prefix= kav.i.
year-round permanent water able to outlast the hot build-up season
Note that this is a verbal expression ‘it-water-kurrung.season-hit’
Kuluban kungarre njilhmi kure ka-kabokurrungbun.
Flying foxes live in the jungle at freshwater dprings which never dry out.
bolarlmarren ka-bebbeboyarlarrme
prefix= kawatershed
Ka-bolarlmang bebbebeh ka-bore ka-bolarlmarren ka-bebbeboyarlarrme.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 6
The water divides into separate (drainage basins) and it spreads out flowing into different water courses.
bolkbalay n.
plain country which extends over a very large area. synonym= kabbal
bolkdjalkmang prefix= kav.t.
1. geomorphological process of the creation of a small rift or gorge in stone escarpment country.
2. the cutting across a landscape by a boundary, watercourse, gorge or track.
bolkdjerrkdi prefix= kan.
scree slope
bolkdjorlokwern prefix=kan.
variant= (ka-)bolkdjorlodjorlokwern (reduplicated form)
country with many small depressions or holes
Bik ba-bolkbom, ba-bolkdjorlodjorlokwong.
Pigs have made holes all over the country.
bolkkabbal an-yakngarra ka-mirnderri prefix= kaphrase
extensive pandanus forest on flat country
bomurrngbangmen prefix= kacurrent of a river become very strong after heavy rain
bomurrngmibang prefix= ann.
strong current (creek, river)
bomurrngwarre prefix= ann.
weak current (creek, river)
bongerdkendi prefix= kav.i.
be full with water, of watercourses especially billabongs
Ka-djalbodelengkurrme ka-bongerdkendi wanjh.
The water goes in until it is full.
boraworren prefix= kav. reflexive
confluence
boraworren kunbowinjku dja kurrurla
prefix= kabrackish water near river mouth
bowakbun prefix= kav.i.
ox-bow lake
bowarrwarrhme prefix= ka-
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 7
water flowing out of rocks and falling down
Kune dialect= ka-kolhwarrwarrhme
bowelwelme prefix= kaquicksand
synonym= ka-bolkkerlk ‘soft ground’
bowiridjmerren prefix= kav.reflexive
whirlpool
bohbobowk prefix= an- , man-, ku-, kan.
1. landscape with water-catching depressions, typically a string of small seasonal billabongs and alluvial
watercourse margins.
2. country with numerous wallow holes created by buffalo or feral pigs.
bowk prefix= (m)an-, kuseasonal swamp, watercourse margins which flood in wet season
boyalarrme prefix= kav.i.
water which spreads out in a wide pattern from a watercourse source
boyambalhyo prefix= kav.i.
large wide expanse of water or billabong on a water course
• Kaboyirriyo kure Djabidj Bakoluy, kaboyambalhyo.
The long straight stretch of river at Djabidj Bakoluy is where the river widens into a large billabong.
boyarlarrme kudjambudda prefix= kav.phrase
wide spread of water on flat rock platform
boyibme prefix= kav.i.
water which flows underground
synonym= ka-bongimen
boyirriyo prefix= kav.i.
long stretch of water in a water course, a long stretch of a river with still water
• Kaboyirriyo anbarrarnkimuk anbokuyeng, kangalkwarre.
A river passing through a long gorge with steep rocky sides.
boyirriyo an-barrarnkimuk prefix= ka(nominal phrase)
a watercourse passing through a long and straight rocky gorge
bukminj v.i.
dried out
bulekare n.
Patch of burnt ground, still black but from a fire some time ago and not considered recent. Literally bule
‘ashes’ –kare ‘old’ The opposite is bulekerrnge ‘recently burnt patch’
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 8
bulekerrnge n.
Patch of burnt ground, recently burnt and very black. Literally bule ‘ashes’ –kerrnge ‘new’ The opposite
is bulekare ‘old burnt patch’
dalk prefix= ku> ku-rralk
loc.
in the grass
Kurralk minj karri-yo mayhwern karri-ray.
We can’t sleep in the grass there’s too many snakes, let’s keep going.
dalkkukno n.
green grass (not dried, still with moisture content)
dalk ‘grass’ kukno ‘raw’
dalknjirhme v.i.
prefix= ka- (note that the d will change to rr> ka-rralknjirhme because of a vowel on either side)
variant= ka-rralknjihme
patch burnt, i.e. some parts are blackened by fire, some parts remain unburnt
Bu ka-rung ka-wohdalknjirhme.
When it burns it forms patches of burnt and unbrunt areas.
dahdadarl prefix= (m)ann.
grove or pure forest of Melaleuca viridiflora
darlkarren prefix= kav.reflexive
water carrying debris, floating leaves
dayadayarrhken n.
pandanus grove
Kodjok Bamdjelk ka-berd-welhwelhme dayadayarrhken.
Kodjok Bamdjelk (mythical being) spins his penes around in the pandanus groves. dialect= I
other dialect Djnj= miyakngayakngarra
dedjdubbedurndeng prefix= kan.
dead-end section of a stream, attached to the main watercourse as an appendix shape
dirrhbinj prefix= (m)ann.
the black mud of flood plains derivative: dirrhbinj-barrbarrhmeng ‘the tessalated pattern of the many
cracks in the mud’
dialect= I
dirrhbinj ba-ngarlangarlhmeng prefix= (m)anv.i.
tessalated dry cracks in mud which form on wetland plains at the start of the dry season.
dirrhbinjbarrbarrhmeng n.
the cracked black mud of flood plains
dialect= I
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 9
djalbokolung kudjambudda v.phrase
prefix= katerraced descent of water over flat rock platforms
djalbowarlahprefix= kadeverbal
wide expanse of water
djambuddano
see kudjambudda
djandahdjandadj prefix= mann.
sand palm grove
dialect= I
djarnano
variant= kun-djarna
froth on water often due to waterfalls or speed of current in the wet season
djarralda n.
monsoon vine forest with many large, tall jungle trees such as Maranthes corymbosa
djelk prefix= kunvariant= djelkno
n.
gravel, small pebbles
•Djelkno birri-wayhkemeninj and warrwarrhmeninj birri-bolk-ngehngeybuyi kun-red ya.
They lifted up gravel and as it fell to the ground they would call out the names of places. dialect= I
djeldjedjelk anberrk prefix= kusavanna with predominantly lateritic gravel surface
djewk prefix= (m)ann.
rain
kun-kurrng register= (m)an-djil
djibdjib n.
termite mound, black
djiddahdjiddah prefix= ann.
margins of large rivers and river valleys where the forest thins out and an open grassy area commences
synonym= kurorrbo
djikkarrano n.
very small intermittent stream, usually a small dry gully no more than a few metres wide
• Djikkarrano karridjowkke kumekke kabuk kure kabokuyeng Nabodmebarnko.
We cross that little ditch, there where it’s dry (near the) river at Nabodmebarnko.
djil prefix= (m)ann.
rain (mother-in-law register)
ordinary language= man-djewk
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 10
djimurru n.
wind which blows from the east
•Djimurru-ko kun-kurra ka-bun koyek-beh.
In the east wind season the wind blows from the east.
djohdjodjoh prefix= ann.
grove of Acacia dificilis trees.
dialect= Djnj, Gdj
djorndongi prefix= barri-, birriv.t.
grinding cupules on rocks in or near rock shelters
Barri-djorndongi ankokbo barri-djorlokwoni.
They made the cupules (in the rock) from pounding rock cycad.
djulng prefix= kunn.
dust
djulngbongun v.t.
prefix=kandi-, ngarrben-/ngarrbanexpression signifying relative residence/land ownership on a watercourse i.e. upstream or downstream of
the other community
Kandi-djulngbongun.
They drink our dust i.e. their land is downstream from ours.
Ngarrben-djulngbongun.
We drink their dust i.e. Our land is downstream from theirs.
djurlirrmi n.
seasonal term referring to mid-build-up typically in November when the temperature and humidity are both
very high
• Djurlirrmi ka-yime kurrung burldjdjarn.
The season called djurlirrmi is in the middle of the build-up season.
djurrh prefix= kunn.
current (of a water course)
djurrhbume v.i.
prefix= kalarge waterfall with accompanying loud noise
•Karri-re Kunburray bolk-bukkan ka-djurrhbume kumekke.
We'll go to Kunburray and I'll show you the large waterfall there.
djurrhbume ka-bomurrngrayek prefix= kawaterfall with a strong current flowing out, powerful waterfall
djurrhbume yerrikahwi v.phrase
prefix= kavariant= ka-djurrhkolung yerrikahwi
multiple waterfalls
djurrhkolung v.i.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 11
prefix= kawaterfall, typically smaller than those described by the term -djurrhbume, the latter denoting substantial
noise caused by the fall of water
synonym= kabokolung
djurrhkolung yerrikahwi v.phrase
prefix= kavariant= ka-djurrhbume yerrikahwi
multiple waterfalls
djurrhmankan prefix= kav.i.
high waterfall
djurrhre djarnano prefix= kaphrase
white water or current with foam
djurrhwokdi prefix= kav.i.
gurgling of water flow
domono n.
walking track made by frequent human traffic
dubbedong (+must have pronoun prefix)
v.i.
be unable to pass through an environment because of impenetrable rock or vegetation
• Karri-rrubbedong minj bale karri-yime?
We can’t pass through, it’s impenetrable, what can we do?
synonym= PREF+mikkendong, PREF+ngalkwarredong
dubbeken prefix= ann.
rock country or thicket or bush which is impenetrable
dialect= Djnj, Gdj other dialect: E, I, W = mandubbeken
dulkwern prefix= kun.
>ku-rrulkwern
in densely wooded bush/forest
duluhdulum prefix= ann. (incorporable)
land with numerous hills or mountains
synonym= andulumwern
dulum prefix= (m)ann. (incorporable)
hill, mountain, elevated landform.
• Kure andulum ka-djarrkrawon andarok, anyawko dja andjuyh.
On hillsides you can find Eucalyptus foelscheana, Eucalyptus tectifa, and Eucalyptus bleeseri growing.
dialect= Djnj, Gdj = an-dulum, W, I, E = man-dulum
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 12
dumeno n. (incorporable)
1. lower back
2. the outer bank of a meandering watercourse derivative: -bodume, -dumekan.
3. The edge of a burning fire, fireline
dumeyo v.i.
where a river or watercourse has a wide outer bank on a meander.
•Ka-re kaddu:m wanjh Duleburreni Ngaldaddubbe Djabidjbakoluy kare konda kabaldurndeng kaddum kabale mani an-bolh ka-rrumeyo-ken ngaleng bono.
It goes upstream to the places Duleburreni Ngaldaddubbe and Djabidjbakoluy and here it keeps going back
up to where the river meanders into a wide outer bank.
kabbal n.
plain country, open area
Ngad kabbal konda wardde-yak.
We are plains people, there is no stone country here.
kabbal ka-djorlohdjorlok
n.
plain country full of holes (usually dug by pigs or buffalo)
kabokalakkalala prefix kan.
water course usually through rock with bright shining patches of underwater white sand contrasting with
the darker patches of flat rock.
dialect= Djnj
kabolakke prefix= kav.t.
the splitting of a watercourse into two streams, the start of a tributary, the confluence
kabbal anrol anwern
n.phrase
plain covered in wild rice
Kabbal anrol anwern ankurladj warridj.
A plain with lots of wild rice and Eleocharis rushes.
kabbarladj n.
clearing, open plain country surrounded by thick vegetation, no or few trees, scattered small rocks or
gibbers, easy to travel across.
•Kabbarladj kabirri-di.
They are in the clearing.
dialect= I other dialect: Djnj= kubarladj
kabo prefix= (m)anvariant= kabono
n. (incorporable)
water course, river, creek. This term is a generic term for watercourses but as there are more specific terms
for smaller streams and tributaries, an-kabo can also be translated as ‘river’..
•Ka-rrolhme ku-djewk, ka-wohre. Bolki ka-yo kure man-kabo. Ngayi minj nga-re , wardi ngan-bun.
It comes up in the wet season and walks around. Today it's there in the creek. I don't go there otherwise it
will kill me.
•Bedda Nakorrkko bene-kabokurrmeng.
The Nakorrkko ancestors placed the creek there.
kabo an-ngarrekimuk prefix= ku-
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 13
n.phrase
creek line with jungle thicket coverage
kabodadjme prefix= kadead end to a creek, an abrupt end of a water course
kabodird prefix= anvariant= an-bodird
n.
bright sand (reflecting light) under the water in a creek or river.
kaboduluburren prefix= kav.refl.
synonym= ka-boduluburren
braided stream, a watercourse with many small tributaries branching off in many places
• Anboberlwern ka-kaboduluburren.
A watercourse with many tributaries.
kabohankabo prefix= ann. (reduplicated form of [m]an-kabo)
expanse of a watercourse broken up into numerous tributaries and channels, riverine landscape
dialect: Djnj, Gdj, synonym= (m)an-kabohkabo
other dialects W, I, E= mankabohmankabo
An-kung wanjh kumekke balhre ka-yakmen darnkih an-boberl an-yende ka-rengere an-kabohankabo.
The honey [region] keeps going and finishes close to the many tributaries of the river which branch out
into a riverine landscape.
kabohkabo prefix= (m)ansee an-kabohankabo
kabohkabo kun-kod ka-mirnderri prefix= kuphrase
paperbark forest in creek bed
kabokaba
n.
variant= kun-kabokaba, kun-bokaba
the combined landscape of flat rocky bars and shallow water typical of many western Arnhem Land plateau
water courses.
dialect= Djnj
kabongalke n.
arrive at a watercourse
• Karri-ngarrnghngarrnghmang karri-kabongalke wanjh kumekke karri-yo ku-wadda.
Let’s pass through these gorges and arrive at the river and then we’ll sleep back at our camp.
kabono n.
creek or other watercourse
Kureh karri-kad, Kumardderr kabono, Mamadawerre ya, la kuni kaddum kun-red djarre ya Madjunbardi
ya kumekke.
It's in the west,(near) the Kumadderr River and Mamadawerre but a long way up in the higher country, yes
there.
kabowarlahmen prefix= kav.i.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 14
watercourse which widens into a large body of water
kaboyahwurd prefix= ann.
small stream, small creek dialect= Djnj, Gdj other dialect: E, I, W = mankaboyahwurd
kanjdjikanjdji n.
lowlands, downhill, downstream, at the bottom
antonym= karrkad
kardabokbok prefix= ann.
watercourse with fast flowing water and a mix of sand and rock on the bed below
Kabolurdme ankardabokbok ka-kabokimuk yika kun-kawadj yika kuwardde.
The ankardabokbok feature has fast flowing water in a large watercourse with some sand and some rock
(below the water).
kardawhkardaw n.
open country typically on a slope or scree with numerous Eucalypts and hummock hills.
synonym= lenderre
dialect= E, Rembarrnga
karnkulkkulno n.
narrow and low ridge of rock
karrkad n.
higher ground, at the top, above the escarpment
antonym= kanjdjikanjdji
kawadj prefix= kun-, kun.
sand
dialect= I, Djnj
other dialect: W= kun-kayalanj, kun-kanalanj
synonym= wadjbud
kawadjyirriyo prefix= kan.
sandy river bed which has dried or a length or strip of sand in any location
kebkali prefix= an-, kan.
variant= kebkalino
ridge point, coastal point, country around the margins of rocky ridges and spurs, woodland flats below
sandstone spurs and long outlier ridges, area where a rock line meets the flat ground
kirhno n.
mud
W= kukih
kodjboyorrno n.
headwaters of a creek, often intermittent (i.e. dry)
Ka-kodjdubbe kodjboyorrno.
The headwater source.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 15
dialect= Djnj
Other forms= an-kodjboyorr, man-kodjboyorr
kodjngol prefix= kunn.
storm cloud (cumulonimbus). These clouds are usually referred to by a verbal expression ka-kodjngolkan
‘it-storm.cloud.takes’
kodjngolbalabalahmen prefix= kav.i.
‘it is forming cumulonimbus incas clouds.’
kodjrorrbo prefix= kamargin
korlhno n.
expansive flat rock platform, especially in river valleys and margins
possible forms= ku-korlh, (ku-)korlhno, an-korlh, man-korlh
synonym= an-warddekorlh, man-warddekorlh, ka-warddekorlh, warddekorlhno.
Kune dialect= kumokorl
korlkkorlmi n.
wind which blows from the west in the wet season
• Korlkkorlmi karrikadbeh kudjewkko.
Korlkkorlmi wind blows from the west in the wet season.
dialect= Djnj
kubarladj n.
open and easily accessible rocky landscape with no large boulders, only gibbers or the occasional small
boulder. This type of landscape can be contrasted with kawarddedubbe, rough dissected sandstone
country with many large boulders making travel very difficult or impossible
dialect= Djnj, other dialect: I= kabbarladj
kodjdubbebun prefix= kav.i.
headwaters of a watercourse
• Kawohkodjdubbe kawohwanjdjadkodjdubbe wanjh anberrk kayiburnbun.
The headwaters finish along the way (towards an escarpment for example), the tributary’s headwaters
appear and then the open country finishes.
korlh prefix= kun.
expansive flat rock platform, especially in river valleys and margins
possible forms= (ku-)korlhno, an-korlh, man-korlh
synonym= an-warddekorlh, man-warddekorlh, ka-warddekorlh, warddekorlhno.
Kune dialect= kumokorl
kuberrkkombuk n.
dry landscape where water cannot be found, typically with little or no vegetation
kudjambudda n.
variant= djambuddano
expanse of open flat rock such as the wide margins of water courses, characteristically uncluttered by rocky
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 16
debris
Kilkken kukabo, karrkad kudjamburdda.
The creek is down below, the rocky platform up on top.
possible forms= kudjambudjambudda ‘extensive area of flat rock’ (reduplicated form)
kudjambudjambudda rorrbono n.phrase
an extensive area of flat rock, open with few or no trees
kuk prefix= ann.
a plant which is green and alive, as opposed to ba-rrarlehminj ‘dead and dried out’
kukku ka-bolkkarung
v. phrase
erosion, literally ‘waters digs the earth’. Note the type of soil can be placed in front of this expression and
the tense placed into the past e.g. ku-djehdjedjelk kukku bolkkaruy ‘the gravel has been eroded’.
kukku ka-djalboyirriyo
v. phrase
a long strip of still water, a stretch of river/creek in the dry season (when flow is imperceptible)
kukku ka-djalboyirriyo an-dahdadarl
v. phrase
a stretch of river/creek with Melaleuca viridiflora forest
kulabbarl n.
billabong, swamp (ku+labbarl)
kumorkorl n.
expansive flat rock platform, especially in river valleys and margins
Dialect= Kune
Other dialects= (ku-)korlhno, an-korlh, man-korlh, an-warddekorlh, man-warddekorlh, ka-warddekorlh,
warddekorlhno.
kundjurlekundjurle n.
open bush area of occasional patchy shade, savanna with assorted occasional trees (typical species include
andjamko, andjumbak, andjungkurrk, anyiwerr, anwinjhwinjh). dialect= Djnj
kunkabokaba variant= kabokaba
n.
the combined landscape of flat rocky bars and shallow water typical of many western Arnhem Land plateau
water courses. dialect= Djnj
kurorrbo n.
ku+rorrbo
open country close to a watercourse
• Ku-rorrbo kawaddakuken barriyoy dabbarrabbolk.
The old people used to camp along the open country near the river margin.
• Kurorrbohrorrbo, darnki kukku karribebme.
The riverine margin, when we are approaching a watercourse. synonym= kabowk, (m)anbowk dialect=
Djnj, W
kurrayawern n.
ku+dayawern
pandanus grove see also dayadayarrhken.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 17
labbarl prefix= (m)ann.
variant= kun-labbarl, labbarlno
billabong, water hole
see also ku-labbarl.
labbarl an-darleh prefix= ann.
billabong with many dead tree trunks
labbarl ka-bobarlme prefix= ann.phrase
variant= ku-labbarl ka-bobarlme
billabong full to capacity with water
dialect= Djnj, Gdj
labbarl ka-borrowen prefix= (m)ann.phrase
variant= ku-labbarl ka-borrowen, labbarlno ba-borroweng
dry billabong
labbarl ka-wukdangen an-dem prefix= anvariant= ku-labbarl ka-wukdangen an-dem
billabong with waterlillies
dialect= Djnj, Gdj
other dialects= man-labbarl ka-wukdangen an-dem
labbarlno n.
variant= an-labbarl, ku-labbarl
billabong, water hole
dialect= Djnj, Gdj, other dialects= man-labbarl, kun-labbarl
labbarlwern prefix= ann.
swamp country, wetlands, many billabongs.
larrhngabarnbe n.
fine mist precipitation
The associated verb for the falling of fine mist is –yawyiwhyiwke
Ka-yawyiwhyiwke larrhngabarnbe. ‘Fine mist is falling.’
lenderre n.
open country typically on a slope or scree with numerous Eucalypts and hummock hills.
synonym= kardawhkardaw
dialect= E, Rembarrnga
lidj prefix= ann.
pandanus which grows in moist jungle environments. This name refers to the vegetation habitat as
opposed to the species kind.
synonym= an-yakngarra mi-ngarre
derivative= mi-lihlilidj
dialect= Djnj
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 18
lidjalidja n.
wind which blows from the south in dry season or build up season dialect= I
lirrbbarra n.
path made by the frequent passage of buffaloes
makkumbu n.
wind which blows in the late wet season and knocks down the spear grass, 'knockem downs'. cf.
Iwaidja = makumbu
malaka n.
landscape habitat characterized by flat country with numerous dry eucalypts.
• Andjarrarn malaka-kah.
The andjarrarn tree is found in flat dry eucalypt country.
malalam n.
dry land often on gentle slopes or undulating country, typically brown to reddish soils with little grass but
covered with a grove of dense but thin tall trees especially Eucalypts.
ngarre mi-binik prefix= mann.
Allosyncarpia ternata forest
mi-dahdadarl n.
(pronounced mi-rrahdadarl)
grove or pure forest of Melaleuca viridiflora. This term has more of a locative sense than an-dahdadarl.
mi-djohdjodjoh n.
grove of Acacia dificilis trees
mi-bernbehbernbern n.
grove of Eucalyptus alba trees.
mi-binihbinik n.
grove of anbinik trees Allosyncarpia ternata
mi-dadjehdadjek n.
grove of fern-leaved grevilleas
synonym= andadjek kamirnderri
mi-djamkohdjamko n.
grove of sandstone country grevilleas such as Grevillea angulata, Grevillea dryandri, Grevillea formosa
mi-djarrahdjarralda n.
monsoon vine forest/jungle with large tall trees such as Maranthes corymbosa
mi-djiddahdjiddah variant= an-djiddahdjiddah
n.
margins of large rivers and river valleys where the forest thins out and an open grassy area commences
synonym= kurorrbo
mi-djimdjihdjimdjim n.
grove of water pandanus Pandanus aquaticus.
mikkendong +pronoun prefix
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 19
v.i.
be unable to pass through an environment because of impenetrable rock or vegetation
• Karri-mikkendong minj bale karri-yime.
We can’t pass through, it’s impenetrable, what can we do.
synonym= PREF+dubbedong, PREF+ngalkwarredong
mi-larrhlalarrh n.
grove of Cyprus pine Callitris intratropica
mi-lihlilidj n.
grove of pandanus growing in moist jungle (redupicated locative form of anlidj ‘pandanus growing in
jungle’.
dialect= Djnj
mi-marlahmarlak n.
a grove of billy goat plum trees Terminalia ferdinandiana
mi-ngohngongohngo n.
grove of Pandanus basedowii
dialect= Djnj
mi-womohwomoro n.
grove of pandanus or pandanus forest growing in open dry bushland (as opposed to inside moist jungle or
along the banks of water courses). dialect= Djnj
mi-yakngayakngarra n.
grove of Pandanus spiralis
dialect= Djnj, Gdj
modjdjonno n.
path made by the frequent passage of macropods
ngad prefix= kunn.
well, spring (water) which has been dug out
ngalk prefix= kunvariant= ngarlkno
n.
cliff face
•Kukkurr yi-bolk-bengkan kure kun-ngalk ka-rri.
Do you know that place Kukkurr where there's a cliff.
ngalkkuyeng prefix= kan.
long and tall escarpment face which runs for some distance.
ngalklurdme prefix= kav.i.
a long running cliff face
synonym= ka-warddelobme
ngalkmak prefix= kan.
a cliff face which can be negotiated by foot without difficulty
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 20
Ka-ngalkwarre karri-kurduhme, ka-ngalkmak karri-kolung.
A difficult/sheer cliff face cannot be negotiated, but on a gentle slope/descent, we can walk down.
antonym= ka-ngalkwarre
ngalkwarre prefix= kavariant= ngalkwarre (no prefix)
n.
1. valley with steep sides and difficult passage
2. large outlier of very large proportions e.g. Djidbidjidbi in Mirarr clan country.
3. cliff face
Ka-ngalkwarre, kunukka ka-ngalkmak.
(This is) a difficult cliff face drop, this other one here is an accessible cliff descent (i.e. which we can walk
down).
ngarre prefix= an-, man-, ku-, min.
1. monsoon vine forest
• Kuluban kungarre njilhmi kure ka-kabokurrungbun.
Flying foxes live in the jungle/vine forests at freshwater dprings which never dry out.
2. thicket
3. bush
• Ba-ngarreyameng mayhbang.
The venomous snake slid off into the bush.
ngarre marrunj dorrengh prefix= an-, mandescriptive phrase
jungle thicket with Gronophyllum palms
ngarrebarrhburrinj prefix= ba-, ø
v.reflexive (in the past tense) ‘the jungle has covered itself over’
jungle thicket with an enclosed canopy
other forms= ka-ngarrebarrhburren, ba-ngarrebarrhbom
ngalkwarredong +prefix
v.i.
be unable to pass through an environment because of impenetrable rock or vegetation
• Karri-ngalkwarredong minj bale karri-yime.
We can’t pass through, it’s impenetrable, what can we do.
synonym= PREF+dubbedong, PREF+mikkendong
ngol prefix= kunn.
cloud (generic)
ngolngurrurdu prefix= ka-, kunn.
cirro-cumulus clouds
Ka-ngolngurrurdu, bangkerreng burldjdjarn andjewk kayakmen.
Cirro-cumulus clouds are in the late wet season and indicate the end of the rain.
ngolwularrbun prefix= kav.i.
red altostratus clouds of sunrise/sunsets
ngolwularrbun dja ka-ngolbarlibarlimen prefix= ka-
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 21
v.i.
altostratus undulatus clouds
ngolyirrbbi prefix-kan.
variant= yirrbbi
cirrostratus and altocumulus clouds
Bu karri-nan yirrbbi karri-bengkan minj ka-djakdung.
If we see cirrostratus or altocumulus clouds, we know it wil not rain.
ngoyngoymi prefix= kunn.
a water course with a gurgling or flow that makes a noise
dialect= Djnj
ngurlurr n.
Dried and packed vegetation, left by floodwaters and densely deposited around sticks, logs and paperbark
roots in creekbeds. Good fuel but can create hot fires that burn for days.
• Ngurlurr karung munguyh.
Dried creekbed debris burns for a very long time.
Jawoyn= ngurlngurl ‘kindling, stick and leaf’
dialect= Djnj, Gdj
niyaniya n.
wind name which blows unusually from the south and then turns to the north-west in the wet season
njilhmi n.
fresh water spring and the water course flowing from it.
Kuluban kungarre njilhmi kure ka-kabokurrungbun.
Flying foxes live in the jungle at freshwater dprings which never dry out.
njilinjilhme prefix= kathe falling of light rain (but not as fine as the mist like precipitation of larrhngabarnbe)
rendeno variant= yendeno
n.
small tributary of river or creek, gulley, wash out on dirt road.
Rendeno is smaller than man-kabo.
Konda man-kabo ka-re nani rendeno ka-barlungme.
This creek goes along here and this tributary turns off here.
rorrbono n.
open country (no trees), often close to a watercourse
dialect= Djnj, I, E
other dialect: W= kunrorrbo
rorrbono an-bunewern
n. phrase
open savanna dominated by Eucalyptus polycarpa
rorrbohrorrbo ka-wohdulum prefix= kaphrase
open country with gentle rise, low hills or undulating landscape
rralknjirhme see dalknjirhme
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 22
ruy yerrikahwi prefix= ba- (Djnj, Gdj only, other dialects = ø)
v. phrase
literally= ‘burnt all over’
term used to describe ground completely burnt by fire, i.e. that is, there is no patch burning, but a hot fire
has burnt all ground cover as opposed to the term ka-rralknjirhme ‘patch burnt grass/ground cover’
rrayawern prefix= kun.
pandanus grove see also dayadayarrhken.
wanjdjad prefix= (m)anvariant= wanjdjadno
n.
creek, small stream, small tributary of a larger creek
synonym= boberlno, (m)an-boberl
wanjdjadbidbun v.i.
creek or tributary from a main watercourse which flows from higher ground
Kawanjdjadbidbun kadjalay ka-kodjdubbebun kure kayiburnbun.
The small creek keeps going up to its headwaters where it terminates.
wanjdjaddanjburren v.i.
tributary branching off, branching off of a water course.
Man-kabo ka-wanjdjaddanjburren.
The creek has a tributary.
wanjdjaddurnduluburren v.refl.
country covered in many braided streams
wanjdjadkodjdubbe v.i.
headwaters of a creek
Kawohkodjdubbe kawohwanjdjadkodjdubbe wanjh anberrk kayiburnbun.
The headwaters finish along the way (towards an escarpment for example), the tributary’s headwaters
appear and then the open country finishes.
wanjdjadmang v.i.
water flowing over a wide area such as during a flood or when water spreads over a shallow but wide
stretch of a stream
Kam-wanjdjadmey.
the (water) spread everywhere
wanjdjadngarrkmang variant= wanjdjadmang
v.i.
water flowing over a wide area such as during a flood or when water spreads over a shallow but wide
stretch of a stream.
wanjdjadno n.
see= (m)an-wanjdjad
wardde prefix= kunn.
1.rock, stone
2. money synonym (I and E dialects only)= kun-bad
derivative kun-warddewardde ‘escarpment, rocky outcrop’
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 23
warddebakabakmeng prefix= an-, karock rubble, scree rubble, fallen rock debris which has shattered
dialect= Djnj, other dialects= kun-warddebakabakmeng,
man-warddebakabakmeng
An-warddebakabakmeng an-warddeyahwuyahwurd.
Rocky debris broken up into small pieces.
warddebalabala prefix= ann.
1. flat rock (large scale)
2. any small piece of ledge sandstone, e.g. piece of stone suitable as a grindstone or lala ‘grindstone’.
warddebalabala ka-rurrkmarnbun prefix= kaphrase
flat overhang which creates a cave below
warddeberrebame prefix= kav.i.
scarp or ridge line which runs long and low
warddeboboyo prefix= kav.i.
sandstone overhang suitable for a shelter
• Dabbarrabbolk barri-yonginj kure kawarddeboboyo.
The old people/ancestors used to sleep in sandstone overhanging shelters. synonym= kawarddeyalalyo,
kawarddeboddi dialect= Djnj
warddeboddi prefix= kav.i.
horizontal overhang of rock which provides a shelter below. synonym= kawarddeyalalyo, kawarddeboboyo
dialect= Djnj
warddeburldjdjarn prefix= kuvariant= an-warddeburldjdjarn
n.
mass of rock, a sandstone outlier, plateau country
• Anwarddekimuk anwarddeburldjdjarn.
Rocky plateau massif.
warddedjabdi prefix= kan.
outcrop of rock
•Makka mak mimih kumekke ka-reddi. Manih ka-wardde-djabdi. Makka wanjh mimih kumekke kah-di.
Mimih also live in that place. There where those boulders are protruding. That's where mimih live.
warddedjudjulngyo prefix= kav.i.
rock rubble from exfoliation or scree deposit, especially finer smaller pieces of sandstone rubble
warddedjuhdjuhkendi prefix= karocks lying in a water course
Ka-warddedjuhdjuhkendi ku-barrarn ka-kawadjyirriyo.
There are rocks in the river gorge with sand lying either side.
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 24
warddedubbe prefix= kan.
impassable rock country, impenetrable rock country
warddedulumkimuk prefix= kavariant= ka-warddeduluhdulumkimuk (reduplicated form)
n.
country with numerous round large boulders (large scale)
warddekarrekarnkudji prefix= ka-, ann.
rock formation consisting of a narrow column or columns which may or may not be supporting large
boulders on top, slender sandstone pillar or butte
warddekudjihkudji prefix= an-, man-, kan.
escarpment outlier country with scattered residuals and/or boulders on the plain.
dialect= Djnj
other dialect: I,W = man-warddekudjikudji, kun-warddekudjihkudji.
warddekuyeng prefix= kun-, ann.
tall rocky outcrop, butte
• Kunwarddekuyeng yiman kayime Nimbuwa.
A tall rock formation such as Nimbuwa.
warddekorlh prefix= ka- , ann.
expansive flat rock platform, especially in river valleys and margins
Possible forms= an-warddekorlh, man-warddekorlh, ka-warddekorlh, warddekorlhno.
Synonym= ku-korlh, korlhno
warddelobme n.
escarpment line.
•Ka-warddelobme.
The escarpment line runs along.
warddelungurr prefix= kun.
1. a large cavity in rock, either in the face of an outlier or under the ground
2. sandstone country with many caves or gorges
warddemirrkbarangbarang prefix= kadeverbal
expanse of rock of uneven surface with a bright shining appearance (due to variation in reflection on both
smooth and uneven surfaces), either as a vertical cliff face or horizontal surface. dialect= Djnj
warddemorrhmorrboy prefix= kadeverbal
region of flat rocky expanse, often with scattered small boulders and rocky debris on a flat and open area
dialect= Djnj
warddengarlhmi prefix=ba-, ø
v.i.
rock rubble, scree rubble
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 25
Djnj, Gdj= ba-warddengarlhmi
warddengarre prefix= kawarddengarre an-kokbo an-wern prefix= kaphrase
a rock country jungle dominated by rock country cycad
wardderurrk prefix= kun-/ka-, ancave, enclosed space under an overhang
other forms= ka-wardderuhrurrk (reduplicated form) ‘many caves’
warddewardde prefix= kun-/kan.
1. escarpment,
2. rocky outcrop, very rocky country, land covered in boulders.
warddewardde an-karrarndalkwern prefix= kaphrase
spinifix (Triodia) in rock country
warddewarnamyo prefix= ka-, kuv.i.
parallel ridge lines of sandstone outlier formations or on a smaller scale, small lengths of parallel rock
formations on a flat
warddeyalalyo prefix= kav.i.
horizontal overhang of rock which provides a shelter below
synonym= kawarddeboddi, kawarddeboboyo.
dialect= Djnj
warddeyirriyo prefix= kaline of rocks or ridgeline (a degree of straightness is implied)
warddeyongoyo prefix= kav.i.
scattered small boulders
warddeyunkurr prefix= kan.
variant= ka-djalwarddeyunkurr
a boulder protruding out of the water in a water course as an island.
wodjbol prefix= anvariant= wodjbolno
n.
dead or fallen trees lying in a watercourse
•Anwodjbol- kun-dulk ka-yirriyo kuwukku.
Trees lying along a body of water.
wodjwarnamyo prefix= kav.i.
log(s) lying along the ground or in water courses
Kundedjnjenghmi Eco-zone wordlist
page 26
wohbarrarn prefix= kapartial gorge or narrow valley, a small passage with low rocky ridge lines on either side
wohngolyongoyo prefix= kav.i.
cumulonimbus with mammatus cloud
womoro n.
pandanus which grows in dry bushland (as opposed to in jungle or along the banks of water courses)
derivative: miwomohwomoro dialect= Djnj
worrkkorl n.
dirty, often reddish coloured water resulting from the flow after the first rain at the end of the dry season or
the first puddles to form in rock holes after first rain
Worrkkorl ka-bokurduk.
The first rains make the water dirty.
wularri n.
wind which blows from the west
wurlhwurlh n.
water seeping out of rocks, seepage
yawrorrbo prefix= kan.
small clearing in the forest, not a major open plain
yawwarddewardde prefix= kan.
open rock country with small scattered outcrops or small boulders
yawyiwyiwme prefix= kathe falling of fine mist precipitation
yendeno variant= rendeno
n.
small tributary of river or creek, gulley, wash out on dirt road. Yendeno is a smaller water course than ankabo.
yoyome prefix= kav.i.
to flow, of creeks and rivers
yoyoke prefix= kav.t.
cause an object to be taken in the strength of the current of a watercourse, wash or sweep away in the
current
yunkurr prefix= an-, mann.
island