Ningimpi Nungampi Paywuta Manta

    ~ poem written in palawa kani, interpretations by Theresa Sainty

palawa kani

mina Palawa nungampi pama

ngayapi Ningi Manina Muyini & Rrumitina

pulana nita paya wurangkili-ti

mina takara payarrimi/luwaytini

mina Lutharakumina ningimpi & nungampi Ngini paya; takariliya-nanya

milangkani rrala manina-ti milaythina lumaranatana-ta paywuta

lurini waypa Ngini yamina & tina paymi-nanya pungkatina-ti

mina tunapri Pakana Ngini; tunapri paliti

kani ningimpi-tu nungampi-tu-nanya paywuta manta

mina nuritinga nina nguwana-mana Palawa pumili

mina makara milaythina-ti; takila-nanya-ti

mina nina; nina mina; waranta pama

English 

I am Palawa, the first Ancestor/Elder

Born of Mother Earth formed by Muyini & Rrumitina

two star brothers in the sky

I walked down the Milky Way

I am Peppermint Gum; the second Ancestor/Elder; your family

growing strong in the earth of our Ancestral homeland, lumaranatana/Cape Portland (country)

beside Old Man Grass Tree and your animal cousins in the scrub

I am the Old Knowledge; the sacred knowledge

told to your grandmothers and grandfathers since the beginning of time

I have cradled you in my arms since the time of Palawa

I will always be in Country

in your hearts

I am you; you are me

I am the Ancestors – ningimpi & nungampi Ngini - the Elders.