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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Ella Archibald-Binge, photographs by Carly Earl

The Australian school spearheading an Indigenous language revival

Anne-Marie Briggs and her son Darruy Briggs with a welcome to country in Gumbaynggirr language
Anne-Marie Briggs and her son Darruy Briggs, with a welcome to country in Gumbaynggirr language Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

There are several words for “morning” in the Gumbaynggirr language but bambuuda is Anne-Marie Briggs’ favourite. Drawn from bamburr, meaning soft and gentle, it speaks to the quiet moments before sunrise, literally translating as “in the softness”.

“Doesn’t it just melt your heart?” says Anne-Marie, sitting at the kitchen table of the Coffs Harbour home she shares with her 12-year-old son, Darruy.

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