Don Bell
Mununja the Butterfly
1999
The first storybook in traditional Aboriginal language from south-eastern Australia / as told by Nu:nu:wul elder Don Bell ; with bilingual text and commentary by Chris Illert
A beautifully illustrated Ngunawal Aboriginal story about a young girl who was turned into a butterfly to avoid marrying the evil Gunga. The first ever Ngunawal language storybook.
Younger children can read it like a normal storybook by simply following Don Bell's full English language text as it appears in the yellow boxes at the top of each picture page.
Adults and older children can read the abbreviated bilingual text scrolled across the bottom of the page.
English and traditional language
About the Author
Don Bell grew up at Hollywood Mission near Yass in Canberra, ACT. During his childhood, Bell learnt Ngunnawal cultural knowledge from his parents James 'Eppy' Carroll and Christine Carroll, Elders, and particularly his grandmother Lucy Hamilton. Don was the husband of Ruth Bell and devoted much of his time and energy to the maintenance of Ngunnawal culture.
