Aboriginal+History+About+the+Wurundjeri+People

= About the Wurundjeri People =

The Wurundjeri People have lived in Melbourne for over 40,000 years, hunting, fishing and gathering food for a living. The name Wurundjeri comes from the words wurun, meaning manna gum (Eucalptus viminalis) and djeri, a grub that is found in many trees. The Wurundjeri people speak both Woiwurrung (their native language) and English, although the native language has dropped in the past 27 years from 207 to 28 speakers.

Wurundjeri people are well-known for the treaty they signed with John Batman, the first and only time documented when the Europeans negotiated their presence. Before and since then, the Wurundjeri people have been kind and willing to allow foreigners to pass through the lands. Before a foreigner crosses, a ceremony called the Tanderrum (freedom of bush) is held. This allows a safe trip through the bush and temporary access to the land and all its resources. It was and still is a diplomatic rite that includes hospitality from the land owner and a ritual exchange of gifts.

The Wurundjeri are wonderful people and we owe them many things, maybe someday we will all be grateful for their kind nature, even during the toughest of times.

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