Bayala: Patyegarang's Notebooks

Overview

Bayala means 'speak' in the tongue of Sydney's first people, and that's exactly what this series of talks, workshops and performances at Sydney Festival begs of you – to speak the language that lived here, long before we did.

In 1790–91, Patyegarang, a young Aboriginal woman, taught 'First Fleet' English astronomer William Dawes the local language during frequent visits to his hut. That site is now known as Dawes' Point, under the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This is where you can hear Lille Madden, a young Gadigal woman, reading the wordlists and sentences in language as spoken by Patyegarang.

The installation will be open daily from 6am-11pm throughout the festival. Become immersed as Gadigal representatives read from notebooks written in 1790, or take classes with Darug and Gadigal teachers. Check out the rare collection of artefacts that preserve the language, or take your place in the massive performance of traditional songs about country, ancestors and healing. Head to the State Library to take the plunge to learn just a little more about the history that we all share.

This program is one of ten Sydney Festival events happening in unexpected places. Check out the whole list.