Poems

Moonthanguddi

A poem by Dan Davis, central Queensland

Close this Cover of Aboriginal Culture Essentials

Wishing you knew more about Aboriginal culture? Search no more.

Get key foundational knowledge about Aboriginal culture in a fun and engaging way.

This is no ordinary resource: It includes a fictional story, quizzes, crosswords and even a treasure hunt.

Stop feeling bad about not knowing. Make it fun to know better.

Sold! Show me how No, thank you

A snake in the grass
I wanna tell you a story, about a friend of mine and yours.
He name Moonthanguddi, He roamed this land with cause.
Moonthanguddi, made every creek, He made the rivers and streams.
Moonthanguddi, sometime talk to me, at night in my dreams.

He tell me how peaceful it was, back when he was creating.
How us mob lived of this land, there wasn't any hating.
We all knew our boundaries, and respected our own dirt.
No reason to be greedy, we had plenty, no reason for any hurt.

Moonthanguddi, the Creator, He travelled this place with pride.
He resting now, they call Him, the Australian Great Divide.
Moonthanguddi is the name my mob, gave to that Rainbow Snake.
One day I reckon that old Moonthanguddi, He gonna awake.

Moonthanguddi, when he awake, He gonna be real upset.
By the way they dig up the earth, and taking what they can get.
Taken what was meant to stay, what belongs to this land.
Society is full of greed, and wealth, it don't understand.

Moonthanguddi, the Creator, the one who started the dream.
The Rainbow Snake we know real well, He there for you and me.

Listen to Moonthanguddi (mp3, 1.6MB).

Moonthanguddi is the Baradah clan's word for the Rainbow Serpent.

Read another one?

Cite this page

Korff, J 2020, Moonthanguddi, <https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/arts/poems/moonthanguddi>, retrieved 7 October 2024

Creative Spirits is a starting point for everyone to learn about Aboriginal culture. Please use primary sources for academic work.

Join thousands of Smart Owls who know more!