Bidjigal

Bidjigal refers to an Aboriginal Australian people who traditionally inhabited the area now known as the Inner West of Sydney, New South Wales. Their country encompassed lands that include modern-day suburbs such as Parramatta, Ryde, and Concord. The Bidjigal are part of the larger Eora nation, which comprised several distinct language groups in the Sydney basin. Their traditional lifestyle was hunter-gatherer, relying on the diverse natural resources of their territory, which included the Parramatta River and surrounding woodlands.

The Bidjigal people had a deep spiritual connection to their land, with significant sites and dreaming stories associated with the waterways, rock formations, and flora and fauna of their country. Their social structure was complex, governed by kinship systems and traditions passed down through generations. Like other Aboriginal groups in the region, the Bidjigal experienced profound disruption and displacement following the arrival of European settlers in 1788. The establishment of the colony and subsequent expansion led to conflict, loss of land, and the devastating impact of introduced diseases. Despite these challenges, the cultural heritage and connection to country of the Bidjigal people persist, with ongoing efforts by their descendants to maintain and revitalize their traditions and language.