Numbers - Background information
Here is some information about numbers in Gamilaraay (GR) and Yuwaalaraay (YR) (GY). Numeracy as we are used to in the 21st century is of
course different from traditional times.
It has frequently been written that Aboriginal languages count “one, two, three, four, many” and do not have more numbers. However, it has
also been pointed out many times that this is false (see Norris
2016).
Current GR and YR numbers
This document explains the current system we use, and how it was developed and standardised.
Download: gy-numbers_jg-hs.pdf
Historical
This is from the 18th-19th century settler-explorer Alfred William Howitt's observations about counting systems in Aboriginal
communities of south-east Australia. He describes how messengers used message sticks and their bodies for counting.
Download the chapter here: Howitt_Kamilaroi_Messengers-and-counting_1904.pdf
Photo by Unknown author - State Library of New South Wales, DL PXX 3, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71444422
