Dictionary

gunyah en · NOUN

Etymology

Borrowed from Dharug gunya (“shelter”), first recorded 1803.

Meanings

1. (Australia) A traditional Aboriginal dwelling made of bark and sticks.
   • The following day we reached the main creek ; and knowing where there was a fine water-hole and native gunyahs, we went there, intending to save what was left of our flour and dried meat, for the purpose of making another attempt to reach Mount Hopeless. 1861, Robert O'Hara Burke, William John Wills, The Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition: An Account of the Crossing the Continent of Australia from Coopers Creek to Carpentaria, page 4:
   • We lived in humpies, or gunyahs, that the men built from tree branches, bark and leaves. Gum resin held them together. We would sleep inside the gunyahs, us children arguing for the warm place closest to Mama, a place usually kept for the youngest children. 1994, Rita Huggins, Jackie Huggins, Auntie Rita, page 8:
   • Across the country a wisp of smoke showed, then gunyahs, and in a moment more we were right in the bush camp. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 83:
   • Still standing as he was, some seconds later he chuckled again to see her pass like a flash from the jungle to the gunyah. But in spite of chuckling he was afraid to advance; indeed he even avoided staring at the gunyah; and though the desire to play the faun to this nymph was in his heart, thought of flight was uppermost in his mind. 1938, Xavier Herbert, Capricornia, unnumbered page:

Forms

Relateds

mia mia · humpy