What does Bangarra mean?
Our name carries deep meaning; it is a Wiradjuri word meaning “to make fire”.
The word has been used since our inception in 1989 and is now used across Australia and internationally in identifying the company.
Why is Bangarra using the Wiradjuri pronunciation?
The decision to use the Wiradjuri pronunciation has been made by our company leadership to respect cultural protocols. Using the Wiradjuri pronunciation is about more than how we say our name, it is about honouring where that name comes from, and our responsibility to the language, Country and people it belongs to.
Over time, the way our company name has been spoken has drifted away from the Wiradjuri pronunciation. As a company grounded in culture, we are committed to listening deeply to those who came before us, so we can better understand who we are today. We have a responsibility to listen when language calls us back to its origin.
By using the Wiradjuri pronunciation of Bangarra, our company honours and respects the millennia of history and culture that has come before us and reinforces our commitment to revitalising, preserving and protecting First Nations languages and empowering others to adopt this pronunciation as we go forward.
Who did Bangarra consult with about the pronunciation?
We have taken time to follow the right cultural processes – to listen, to learn and, importantly, to be guided by the people who carry this knowledge.
We have worked closely with Wiradjuri language experts and cultural leaders, Uncle Stan Grant Senior, Letetia Harris and Lowanna Grant who have generously shared their knowledge and guided us in understanding the pronunciation, meaning and cultural significance of this word.
This process has involved many months of consultation as well as a workshop with all Bangarra staff.