Baiame
InAustralian Aboriginal mythology,Baiame(orBiame,Baayami, BaayamaorByamee) is thecreator godandsky father[1]inthe Dreamingof severalAboriginal Australianpeoples of south-eastern Australia, such as theWonnarua,Kamilaroi,Guringay,Eora,Darkinjung,andWiradjuripeoples.
Description and history[edit]
The Baiame story tells how Baiame came down from the sky to the land and created rivers, mountains, and forests. He then gave the people their laws of life, traditions, songs, and culture. He also created the firstinitiationsite. This is known as abora;a place where boys were initiated into manhood. When he had finished, he returned to the sky and people called him theSky HeroorAll FatherorSky Father.[2]
He is said to have two wives,GanhanbiliandBirrangulu,[3]the latter often being identified as anemu,and with whom he has a sonDharramalan.In other stories Dharramalan is said to be brother to Baiame.[citation needed]
It was forbidden to mention or talk about the name of Baiame publicly. Women were not allowed to see drawings of Baiame nor approach Baiame sites, which are often male initiation sites (boras).[citation needed]
In rock paintings Baiame is often depicted as a human figure with a large head-dress or hairstyle, with lines of footsteps nearby. He is always painted in front view; Dharramalan is drawn in profile. Baiame is often shown with internal decorations such as waistbands, vertical lines running down the body, bands and dots.[citation needed]
Attempted link with the Christian God[edit]
The missionaryWilliam Ridleyadopted the name of Baiame for theChristian Godwhen translating intoGamilaraay(the language of theKamilaroi). It is sometimes suggested that Baiame was a construct of early Christian missionaries, butK Langloh Parkerdated belief in Baiame to (at latest) 1830, prior to missionary activity in the region.[4]
Portrayal in theAwaba(Lake Macquarie) area[edit]
In the area surroundingAwaba(Lake Macquarie)inNew South Wales,Australia,[5][6]he was believed to have created all of the mountains, lakes, rivers and caves in the area. After he finished creating, he jumped back up to the spirit world fromMount Yengo,which he flattened. Its flat top can still be seen to this day, near Wollombi Valley.[7]A cave near Milbrodale contains many Wonnarua Aboriginal paintings, including a large figure of a man who may be Baiame. It is popularly known as the Baiame Cave and is part of a series of rock shelters on an area of 80 hectares. The site is listed on theRegister of the National Estateand is considered asacred site.[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Baglin, Douglass; Mullins, Barbara (1986).Aboriginal Art of Australia.Marleston, S.A.: Mulavon. p. 11.
- ^Popp, T & N; Walker, Bill (1997).Footprints on Rock.Redfern, N.S.W.: Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.ISBN0-7313-1002-0.
- ^Robert S Fuller et al, The Astronomy of the Kamilaroi People and their Neighbours, 12.
- ^Parker, K. Langloh(1905)..The Euahlayi Tribe:A Study of Aboriginal Life in Australia(1st ed.). London: Archibald Constable and Company. pp. 4–10.
- ^Wright.T- Belongs theKamilaroipeople[clarification needed]
- ^NSW National Parks."Yengo National Park: Learn more".NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.NSW Government.Retrieved18 December2019.
- ^"Aboriginal History".Wollombi Valley.Wollombi Valley Chamber of Commerce. 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 18 July 2011.
- ^Australian Heritage Commission; Bilney, Elizabeth (1981).The Heritage of Australia.South Melbourne, Vic.: Macmillan. p. 2/211.
External links[edit]
Media related toHunter Valleyat Wikimedia Commons