Description
Details:
Title: Budgerigar Dreaming
Artist: Julieanne Turner Nungurrayi
Size: 90 x 60 cm Unframed
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Authenticity:
COA and pictures of the artist holding and signing her work will be provided.
Story:
The Meaning of the Word Budgerigar. Budgie is a shortened form of Budgerigar, from the native Australian name Betcherrygah. The betcherry bit means ‘good’, and gah means ‘parakeet’. The Meaning of the Word Budgerigar. Budgie is a shortened form of Budgerigar, from the native Australian name Betcherrygah. The budgerigar has co-existed with Indigenous Australians for 50–70,000 years. Several possible origins for its name have been proposed. First, it may be a mispronunciation or alteration of the Gamilaraay word gidjirrigaa (Aboriginal pronunciation)or gijirragaa from the Yuwaalaraay Second is a modification budgery or boojery (Australian English slang for “good”) and gar (“cockatoo”). Alternative spellings include budgerygah and betcherrygah the latter used by indigenous people of the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales] While many references mention “good” as part of the meaning, and a few specify “good bird”, it is quite possible that reports by those local to the region are more accurate in specifying the direct translation as “good food”. However, reports that this could also translate as “tasty treat”, implying they were eaten by the aboriginals, are likely to be apocryphal. The name likely derived from the species’ migratory nature. With seasonal changes that left the plains barren, the budgerigar would move towards residual water that still produced the seeds they sought. By following the birds, the aboriginals could locate water and also other game or food plants – thus, leading to “good food”.
