Bunjil fathered Binbeal the rainbow and Djurt-djurt the nankeen kestrel, who appear in the sky as signs of their father's continuing presence — Binbeal arching after rain, Djurt-djurt hovering on the wind.
Bunjil and Pallian are brothers in Kulin tradition, the two complementary creator beings who together shaped the landscape — Bunjil the mountains and people, Pallian the rivers and waterways.
Bunjil commanded Bellin-Bellin the musk crow to open his bags of wind when it was time to ascend to the sky. Bellin-Bellin released the whirlwinds that carried Bunjil, his two Ganawarra wives, and his sons up into the sky world where they remain.
Bunjil's six young men — each a bird or animal spirit with a distinct gift — traveled with the Eaglehawk as he shaped Kulin country, and when the work was done, whirlwinds bore them all together into the sky where they became stars.
The rivalry between Bunjil the Eaglehawk and Waa the Crow is a foundational Kulin Dreamtime narrative, establishing the moiety division and the law that Eaglehawk and Crow people must intermarry.
Bunjil the eagle-hawk holds authority over Bellin-Bellin the musk crow, who keeps the winds sealed in bags and releases them only at the creator's command.
Bunjil established the Kulin Initiation ceremonies in the Dreamtime, through which sacred knowledge of his creative acts and laws are transmitted to each new generation of young men.
Bunjil's travels through Kulin country during the Dreamtime created songlines that map the sacred geography of central Victoria, encoding creation narratives and ceremonial law across the landscape.
Bunjil created the first men from clay dug from the banks of the Yarra River in Woiwurrung tradition, shaping their bodies and breathing life into them through their nostrils.
The bullroarer's deep humming voice represents Bunjil's presence during Kulin initiation ceremonies, marking the transmission of sacred law to new initiates who hear the creator speak through the spinning wood.
Bunjil Shelter in the Black Range near Stawell contains an ancient rock painting of Bunjil with two companion figures. The site is sacred to the Dja Dja Wurrung and remains one of the most significant depictions of the creator deity in southeastern Australia.
Bunjil caused the Kulin Flood to punish his people for violating the sacred marriage laws governing the Eaglehawk and Crow moieties.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more