Hello One and All!
There are some creatures which defy classification but nonetheless manages to become popular, in part helped by their ambiguity. One such example is the Bunyip, a being from indigenous Australian myth and known by many different names among the indigenous tribes (others are Wowee-wowee, Mulgewanki and Yaa-loo). Descriptions of this creature differs: the Ngarrinderi culture describes it as a half-man/half fish with sharps claws and teeth; whereas other accounts mention a dark-furred, seal-dog. One aspect that all these versions share is that it seems to congregate near waterways.
The Fearsome Bunyip
According to one tale, once upon a time there were a group of hunters who happened upon a baby Bunyip. This was a rare occurrence and so they took the infant back tot heir village, gingerly though for it was still fearsome. The moment the party arrived back at their village, a fierce discussion broke out - some protested because they thought this act would only bring about death, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
As everyone at last dispersed, a low rumble could be heard, followed by a shadow blocking out the sun's rays. Barreling towards them was a great tidal wave. Everyone touched by the enchanted spray were transformed into black swans. Some escaped the flood and thought themselves safe for the moment; their relief would be short lived though as the Bunyip mother launched herself out and devoured all those who were still human. Such was the lot of the village who dared to challenge the creature's might.
Although the tale above may sound cruel, it is a cautionary one which is especially apt for modern times. The Bunyip is regarded by many indigenous Australian people as a protector of rivers, guarding against those who are greedy and take more than they need. In essence, it encourages humans to have regard for nature and the impact they have on it.
Could the Bunyip have been real? There were many sightings during the 19th century and even the discovery of a skull in 1847 (although this was revealed to be a hoax). One theory states that inspiration for the story may have come from seeing seals swim upstream. Alternatively, the booming noise described by some may have been the call of the bittern marsh bird. Another hypothesis states that inspiration may have sprung from stories of encounters with extinct megafauna, such as the Diproodon, which was passed down the generations, perhaps further emboldened by the discovery of fossils.
Whatever the source of the Bunyip may have been, it remsins a popular figure in Australia, featuring in children's books, such as the 1973 children’s book "The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek", by Jenny Wagner. A sculpture, inspired the illustrations from that book, stands outside the State Library Victoria. The Bunyip has gone on to feature and be adapted in numerous works of fiction from across the world.
Thank you for reading!
There are some creatures which defy classification but nonetheless manages to become popular, in part helped by their ambiguity. One such example is the Bunyip, a being from indigenous Australian myth and known by many different names among the indigenous tribes (others are Wowee-wowee, Mulgewanki and Yaa-loo). Descriptions of this creature differs: the Ngarrinderi culture describes it as a half-man/half fish with sharps claws and teeth; whereas other accounts mention a dark-furred, seal-dog. One aspect that all these versions share is that it seems to congregate near waterways.
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| Drawing of a bunyip by an indigenous Australian from the Murray River region in 1848. |
The Fearsome Bunyip
According to one tale, once upon a time there were a group of hunters who happened upon a baby Bunyip. This was a rare occurrence and so they took the infant back tot heir village, gingerly though for it was still fearsome. The moment the party arrived back at their village, a fierce discussion broke out - some protested because they thought this act would only bring about death, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
As everyone at last dispersed, a low rumble could be heard, followed by a shadow blocking out the sun's rays. Barreling towards them was a great tidal wave. Everyone touched by the enchanted spray were transformed into black swans. Some escaped the flood and thought themselves safe for the moment; their relief would be short lived though as the Bunyip mother launched herself out and devoured all those who were still human. Such was the lot of the village who dared to challenge the creature's might.
 |
| Scientific design of the bunyip on a 1994 Australian seal, drawing by Marg Towt. |
Although the tale above may sound cruel, it is a cautionary one which is especially apt for modern times. The Bunyip is regarded by many indigenous Australian people as a protector of rivers, guarding against those who are greedy and take more than they need. In essence, it encourages humans to have regard for nature and the impact they have on it.
 |
| The alleged Bunyip skull January 1847. Reproduced from The Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science. |
Could the Bunyip have been real? There were many sightings during the 19th century and even the discovery of a skull in 1847 (although this was revealed to be a hoax). One theory states that inspiration for the story may have come from seeing seals swim upstream. Alternatively, the booming noise described by some may have been the call of the bittern marsh bird. Another hypothesis states that inspiration may have sprung from stories of encounters with extinct megafauna, such as the Diproodon, which was passed down the generations, perhaps further emboldened by the discovery of fossils.
 |
| Bunyip outside the State Library Victoria, based on the 1973 children’s book The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek. |
Whatever the source of the Bunyip may have been, it remsins a popular figure in Australia, featuring in children's books, such as the 1973 children’s book "The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek", by Jenny Wagner. A sculpture, inspired the illustrations from that book, stands outside the State Library Victoria. The Bunyip has gone on to feature and be adapted in numerous works of fiction from across the world.
Thank you for reading!
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