‘Kaya’ hello in Noongar opens this illustrated collection of everyday words in the language of the Noongar people of South West Western Australia. The book’s colourful front cover draws you in as it proudly broadcasts the book’s intent and the front end papers have maps of Western Australia’s South West areas showing the different Noongar groups’ Country.
The topics listed are easily recognisable to children. Family, body parts, numbers, colours and time are all there along with land, sea and sky creatures. There are simple conversational phrases such as ‘Kaya’ with its double meaning of hello or yes and ‘Yoowart’ meaning no or nothing. We learn that ‘djoorap’ means happy and ‘winyarn’ is sad. There are the names of the six Noongar seasons and the plant list includes a number of unique Western Australian species. Locals may recognise some words such as ‘koorda’ (friend) or ‘nolamara’ (kangaroo paw) as the names of Western Australian towns or Perth suburbs.
The illustrations have a presence and an energy that gives meaning to the words particularly the symbolic picture of ‘boodja’ or earth. The cartoon style illustrations of facial body parts or of emotions have great child appeal. The final double page spread includes the words for items of Noongar Culture such ‘kitj’ spear and ‘kotj’ axe.
An online pronunciation guide is available on the publisher’s website or via a QR code in the book.
There is growing interest in the importance of recognising and learning First Nations languages in Australia. Both the author, Jayden Boundry, and illustrator, Tyrown Waigana, have a strong belief in the reconciliation value and educative power of everyone learning a little of their local First Nations language. The front endpapers show the area of the south-west corner of Western Australia where the 14 different groups of the Noongar nation live.
Jayden Boundry is a Wadjak Balardong Noongar and a Badimaya Yamatji man. He is a Noongar language teacher and cultural consultant. Illustrator Tyrown Waigana is a Wardandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal (Torres Strait Islander). He is a multidisciplinary artist and designer whose work includes painting, illustration, sculpture, animation and graphic design.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
