7 Languages

Stitched by: Knucky Women’s Centre women and the students from Belyuen Primary School

Pattern designed by: Knucky Women’s Centre women and the students from Belyuen Primary School

Once upon a time there were 7 languages spoken in Belyuen.

Belyuen is a small community located on the Cox Peninsula and is made up of 7 language groups:
Wadjiginy who speak Batjamalh,
Emmiyangal speak Emmi, Mendheyangal speak Mendhe (Emmi and Mendhe are very similar and share a lot of words).
Kiuk language has disappeared but it is close to Batjamahl so now they are Kiuk Wadjiginy.
The other languages are Marriamu, Marritheyal and Larrakia.

These family language groups except for Larrakia come from the North West region of the Northern Territory (around Channel Point area),
they are salt water people. Living in Belyuen and becoming ‘one mob’, a lot of words are now shared.

Last year whilst in lock down, the Knucky Women’s Centre was still able to run a Culture Program in Belyuen Primary School and focused on the
languages of Belyuen. These squares were sewn together with the Knucky Women’s Centre women and the students at Belyuen Primary.
This project is a work in progress and will eventually have a home in Early Childhood at Belyuen Primary School.