The arrival of European invaders saw the disruption of Wurundjeri woiwurrung Culture, wurrung (Language) and way of life.

Europeans saw Wurundjeri woiwurrung people as anthropological curiosities at best and recorded their impressions of them in archival sources in the same way they wrote about the native plants and animals. This included great detail about their skills, how they lived, what they ate and what they wore, yet provided very few, if any, names or personal details. The names and identities of Wurundjeri woiwurrung women rarely feature in the archives.  

There are many strong Wurundjeri woiwurrung women today, working hard to learn and pass on the Culture and wurrung of their ancestors and present community to the future generations of Wurundjeri woiwurrung people. The revival of important ceremonies such as murrum turrukurruk (a coming-of-age ceremony) and the continuation of weaving practices mean that Wurundjeri woiwurrung women into the future will continue to connect with Culture and keep their practices strong.

woiwurrung translations by Wurundjeri woman Brooke Wandin.

IMAGE:

Borate [Annie] – age 30 – Yarra Yarra Tribe, 1866

albumen silver photograph

10 x 6.7 cm

Photograph by Carl Walter

Source: State Library of Victoria

* Because of their connection to Country along the birrarung (Yarra River), Wurundjeri woiwurrung people were often referred to in the historical literature as the Yarra Yarra Tribe.