Gaadha (Christmas)

Although of course Christmas was not a traditional celebration, many Aboriginal people now celebrate either the Christian or non-Christian aspects of Christmas. Please browse this page to see downloadable resources in Gamilaraay (GR), Yuwaalaraay (YR) and Yuwaalayaay (YR). 

You can download a list of Christmas words and phrases here: 
GR: Garay-Gaadha-gu_GR_14DEC21.pdf
YR, YY: Gaay-Gaadha-gu_YR-YY_16DEC22.pdf

Gaadha Gayaa! (Happy Christmas)

[Christmas happy]

Our video with the Winanga-Li staff (2020) includes the meaning of the word 'Gaadha'.

Dhulu/muyaan Gaadha-gu (Christmas tree)

[tree Christmas-of]

Posters (A4 size) to download and display:

Dhulu Gaadha-gu (GR)
dhulu-Gaadha-gu.pdf

Muyaan Gaadha-gu (YR, YY)
Muyaan-Gaadha-gu.pdf


 

Bindaybi-la (hang it) 

[hang-command]

burugalaa (GR) buugalaa (YR) - ball
ngandanganda - shiny

Posters (A4 size) to download and display:

Burugalaa ngandanganda dhulu-ga bindaybi-la! (GR)

bindaybi-la-GR.pdf


Buugalaa ngandanganda muyaan-da
bindaybi-la! (YR, YY)

bindaybi-la-YR.pdf

Yugal (carols, songs)

Dhabiyaan Ngurru/Buluuy (Silent Night)

Words (GR,YR)
Dhabiyaan-ngurru/buluuy_Silent-night.pdf

Vocals

Dhabiyaan Ngurru (GR)
Vocals by Bernadette Duncan
DhabiyaanBuluuy-GR.mp3

Dhabiyaan Buluuy (YR)
Vocals by Tracy Dodd
DhabiyaanBuluuy-YR.mp3


A 2022 version (using the same GR words) from Mitch Tambo is here:

Gaayndjuul Dhiidju (Little Baby Jesus)

Download the words and sound for Gaayndjuul Dhiidju (GR):

GaayndjuulDhiidju-GR.mp3
Gaayndjuul-Dhiidju.pdf

Activities

Star ornament

  • Download the pdf (A4 size).
  • Colour in the star (animal footprint design).
  • Cut around the edges of the star.
  • Punch a hole near the top.
  • Hang it up with cotton or string.
  • Enjoy!

mirii (GR)
star_ornament-GR.pdf

gawubarray (YR, YY)
star_ornament-YR-YY.pdf

Word tree

  • Download the pdf (A4 size).
  • Colour in the tree, practise the words.
  • Enjoy!

dhulu (GR)
word-tree_GR.pdf
mirii - star
dhulu - tree
wuurr - gift
gayaa - happy
dhiiyaan - family
dhuuraay - lights

muyaan(YR, YY)
word-tree_YR-YY.pdf
gayaa - happy
wuurr - gift
muyaan - tree
dhiiyaan - family
dhuuyaay - lights
gawubarray - star


Nativity

  • Download the pdf (A4 size).
  • Colour in the picture, practise the words.
  • Enjoy!

Gaadha (GR)
Nativity-colouring-in_GR.pdf
mirii - star
Maarri - Mary
Djudjibi - Joseph
dhimba - sheep
Dhiidju - Jesus

Gaadha (YR, YY)
Nativity-colouring-in_YR.pdf
gawubarray - star
Maarri - Mary
Djudjibi - Joseph
dhimba - sheep
Dhiidju - Jesus