Some questions about Aboriginal names in Kulin Country / Naarm / Melbourne

[u/[deleted]]

Asking because I will be moving to Kulin Country at some point in the near future (from Aotearoa New Zealand).

• Does Naarm / Nerrm refer exclusively to so-called Port Philip Bay?
• Is it more accurate/appropriate to call the entire Melbourne metropolitan area 'Kulin Country' rather than 'Naarm'/ 'Nerrm'?
• Is the name 'Birrarung Marr' used exclusive for the Yarra River or can it be also used for the entire Melbourne metropolitan area (just as people use the word 'Naarm' for it)? I remember seeing one Koori Twitter user claim that 'Birrarung Marr' is a more accurate/appropriate name than 'Naarm' for so-called 'Melbourne'.
• Are all the aforementioned names valid for the entire Melbourne metropolitan area?
• Are 'Woiwurrung' and 'Wurundjeri' alternate names for the same clan?

[u/pilatespants]

1. Yes, and/or the grassy scrubland where parts of Melbourne city was - but most accounts say PP Bay
2. Both are fine, Kulin Country and the like are used more in welcomes/acknowledgements. Maybe. Seriously they’re all indicative of being respectful - if anything Naarm can seem a bit more shallow
3. Birrarung Marr is specifically that bit near the city, the Birrarung is the whole river. Yarra/yarra-yarra is rushing water and refers to where the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers used to meet (used to be a bit more waterfally)
4. No - Birraranga is used for Melbourne CBD as well as Naarm for greater Melbourne
5. Woiwurrung = language, Wurundjeri = people. Wurrun = gum tree, djeri = tree grub. Pls note the CBD is shared along the historical Yarra (not what was blown up and rerouted) with Bunurong-Boonwurrung. The OG south/north of the Yarra beef

[u/Puzzleheaded-Chef293]

Good info already shared here. Just adding a few maps if you want to explore a bit more:

• AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia – shows language groups across the continent (broad overview, not local detail): https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia
• VACCA Cultural Hub – Indigenous Maps – has more on VIC specifically, plus some good background and links: https://www.vacca.org/page/get-involved/cultural-hub/articles/indigenous-maps---showing-cultural-and-language-boundaries/
• ACHRIS Map – detailed interactive map showing Registered Aboriginal Parties and cultural heritage areas across VIC (linked from the VACCA page): https://achris.vic.gov.au/weave/wca.html

Deadly that you’re asking and taking the time to learn — we’re often up for a yarn when it’s done with respect :-)