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One contemporary indigenous view of
the Bunyip.
Bunyips are still a living part of
Aboriginal culture. Indigenous people celebrate the Bunyip in art,
storytelling and books. One Indigenous artist who has represented
the Bunyip is Lin Onus. Here he discusses his paintings, Bunyips
Strolling and Hungry Bunyip.
It is not possible to grow up in
any Koori community without knowing about Bunyips. I tend not to
see them as the evil menacing creature that some non-Aboriginal
literature suggests, but rather as slightly timidpreferring to
keep out of humans way. Whilst generally rather shy, they are not
averse to a good feed of human once in a while (I understand the
ears are a particular delicacy) if someone is so foolish as to go
swimming in dark or murky water or in the turbulent river holes
where you may be dragged under and trapped.
Lin Onus, 5 March 1987
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