Yugambeh love poem

Here I present my poem translated into Yugambeh by Shaun Davies.

Alternative names and dialects : Tweed-Albert Bandjalang, Minyangbal, Yugumbir, Chepara, Minjungbal, Gendo, Nganduwal, Gan-dowal, Yugam, Yoocumbah, Minyung, Cood-jingburra, Jugambeir , Cudgingberry, Gando Minjang, Yugambir, Tjapera, Yoocum, Yögum, Minjangbal, Minyowa, Ngarangwal, Yuggum, Jukam, Tjipara, Yukum, Jukambe, Ngandowul, Chipara).

Yugambeh (word meaning "no"), is the Pama–Nyungan Bandjalangic language of the Australian Aborigines, the Yugambeh, who live between Tweed and Logan rivers in south-east Queensland.

This indigenous language is endangered, because it is not taught in schools and is only spoken by a very few old people, perhaps 200.

The Yugambeh, also called Minyangbal, are Aboriginal people who occupy a territory located in southeast Queensland in Australia, between Logan and Tweed rivers.

When the Europeans arrived, they were divided into nine distinct exogamous clans, speaking different dialects, each with its own territory. The different groups could meet during council meetings.

Their life was peaceful, in a rich region, near rivers and an ocean, which ensured their subsistence.

Hunters (kangaroos, ducks, pigeons), gatherers (palm trees, fern roots) and fishermen (mullets). They moved according to the seasons and the game to be hunted with their main tools (nets, spears, boomerangs, canoes).

Very quickly, because of land, came conflicts with Europeans... and the latter, after having transmitted alcohol and diseases, grouped them into reserves.

Today their last reserve is closed and the mixture of population on their territory, with settlers and workers of various origins, puts them in great danger of losing their identity.

Archeology shows an indigenous Australian settlement dating back tens of thousands of years.