Why is the term "Aunty" and "Uncle" used so widely in the Aboriginal Community? Put simply - RESPECT! It also relates to recognition of Aboriginal Elders, kinship and extended families.
It is a sign of respect to refer to those older than you as Aunty or Uncle especially if they are family. This includes extended family. By using Aunty or Uncle you show that you respect them, their leadership and their lived experience which typically outweighs those who are younger.
Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.
In some communities men and women are elders with equal standing; in others it may be a few men who hold that status. Elders are usually addressed with "uncle" or "aunty" which in this context are terms of respect. They are used for people held in esteem, generally older people who have earned that respect.
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the terms 'Aunty' or 'Uncle' are used to show respect for someone older than you. This person does not have to be a blood relative or necessarily an Elder. and/or a positive relationship exists.
Assimilationist terms such as 'full-blood,' 'half-caste' and 'quarter-caste' are extremely offensive and should never be used when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Here are some simple rules with using “Aunty”:
If she's your Aunty's friend or mom's friend, she's Aunty. If you're both adults and you don't know her very well… DON'T CALL HER AUNTY. Unless all your friends are calling her Aunty…then you're good to go.
(In Aboriginal English-speak, we refer to this commonality as 'same same' or 'same kind'). For example, in Bardi the maternal grandmother (on Mother's side) is Garminy whereas the paternal grandmother (on Father's side) is Golli.
They know who their real mother and father are, but under these societal (kinship) laws, other family members have equal importance. The common terms of endearment among Aboriginal peoples are 'brother' or 'sister' when talking to people. These are derived from the kinship terms and associations.
Contrary to some versions of both the 'baby talk' and 'proto-world' approaches, mama in Australia is mostly found as 'father', not 'mother', and papa is found as 'mother' in some areas. Mama is a possible candidate for Proto Pama-Nyungan 'father'.
Etymology. From Middle English aunte, from Anglo-Norman aunte, from Old French ante, from Latin amita (“father's sister”).
Alternate terms include auntie or aunty. Children in other cultures and families may refer to the cousins of their parents as aunt or uncle due to the age and generation gap. The word comes from Latin: amita via Old French ante and is a family relationship within an extended or immediate family.
For example, many well regarded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, academics and organisations use the term 'Indigenous' or 'Indigenous Australians'.
'What percentage Aboriginal are you?'
"Your connection to the land and your community is part of your identity no matter what.” So if you wish to be more respectful and understanding of Aboriginal culture, don't bother asking that question. It simply doesn't matter.
Bunji: Means friend/mate. Cooee: Is actually a widely used Aboriginal word that is often unknowingly used by non-indigenous people.
Although most men had only one wife at a time, polygyny was considered both legitimate and good. The average number of wives in polygynous unions was 2 or 3. The maximum in the Great Sandy Desert was 5 or 6; among the Tiwi, 29; among the Yolngu, 20 to 25, with many men having 10 to 12.
In Aboriginal culture it is taboo to mention (or in some cases write) the name of a deceased person. Aboriginal people believe that if the deceased person's name is mentioned, the spirit is called back to this world.
half-caste - includes any person either of whose parents `is or was an aboriginal native of Australia or of any of the islands adjacent or belonging thereto and any child of any such person'. It does not include a person who comes within the definition of `aboriginal'.
Here are some that you should know. Anangu traditionally greet each other by saying 'palya', a word that can also mean welcome, thank you, understood, ok and goodbye. Greeting Anangu with a friendly 'palya' while in the park is a simple way to show respect for the local culture.
Tidda: Means sister and can also be used when referring to female friends.
Another word for 'mother' or 'Mum' is Ngambaa, probably related to ngamu 'breast', or 'milk'.
Children. Importantly, a woman and her brother will both call her children kurturtu. So the word kurturtu covers 'niece' and 'nephew' as well as 'daughter' and 'son'. A woman and her brother will both call his children ngalawuny.
An “auntie” in popular parlance is defined by being independent, attractive, and powerful.