Ngapigan (Grandmother)
By Anjilkurri Rhonda Radley
Published 27 June 2023
~ poem written in Gathang, interpretations by Aunty Rhonda
Gathang
Ngapigan Djuyal
buyiba watiga
nyaaga murapan
nyutja bathu
numa barray
ngarrangga guying-gambal
mungga wirray
Ngapigan Ngapigan
wanay gili-wakulda buba.yangbu gagiliyn
gunun.bang maayn.gilgaray
gindalan.garay
mirriiyn bitaraliyn djukal butjungga yurraga
Ngapigan Ngapiganbaa
girrang biyan.guwa
girrang nyun.guwa.
English
Grandmother Talk
breath in the tree
see the flowers
taste the water
feel the land
listen to the birdsong
smell the bush
Grandmother/Granddaughter
a baby awakening to the first light
old ways with a loving embrace
the star shining brightly in the night sky
Grandmother/Granddaughter Space
lives within you
as you live within her.
Read Aunty Anjilkurri Rhonda's reflection on 'Ngapigan (Grandmother)' here.