Bumbira Art & Culture Program's new group 'Yaama Gomeroi' sharing culture through language

Newly formed language group 'Yaama Gomeroi' was born when a group of women who regularly got together to play bingo with cards in the traditional language, had a bigger vision to share knowledge with the community.

Run by the Bumbira Art & Culture Program, the growing group now meets weekly, open to anyone who wants to share some wisdom, or learn to speak basic Gomeroi.

"There was so much interest in the language that we decided we need to do more but it needs to be more than just a game, it needs to be something they can take with them," group facilitator Krystle Lamb said.

"There's no right or wrong in this group, participants feel really safe here and we're giving them an opportunity to share culture and knowledge with the other people in the group."

READ ALSO:

Ms Lamb's passion for language began when she obtained her Certificate I in Gomeroi language through TAFE last year.

Currently enrolled in her Certificate II, she described the process of learning the language as incredibly healing and about "connecting to her identity" as a Gamilaroi woman.

"I can't wait to learn and share more, it's a really big passion of mine," she said.

"I've been lost, not knowing who I am in my own identity, so connecting to language for me has taught me so much about myself.

"It's what my ancestors spoke, so it means a lot to be able to share it with the community."

Yaama Gomeroi is supported by local language group Yaliwunga Gaay Guwaa-li - which covers the Aboriginal communities of Tamworth, Quirindi, Werris Creek and Walhallow.

In the future, once they become more established, the two groups will be able to share community driven resources.

The group is open to everyone, Indigenous or non-Indigenous, even if you just want to have a cuppa and say yaama - hello.

But for some participants, learning brings back memories from their childhood, something that is incredibly healing and also emotional, Ms Lamb said.

"We actually do have a lady in our group that out of the blue will pop up and say 'my mum said that to me'," she said.

"It's really nice to know that people want to learn it, and they want to share it as well, we've had people come that don't identify but they have a child that they care for that identifies and wants to connect to their culture."

'Yaama Gomeroi' meets every Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am at the Bumbira space, 1E Darling Street, Tamworth.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: