1890 drawing of Bunyip.
The Bunyip, or Kianpraty, is a large mythical creature from Aboriginal mythology, said to lurk in swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds, and waterholes.
The origin of the word bunyip has been traced to the Wemba-Wemba or Wergaia language of Aboriginal people of South-Eastern Australia. However, the bunyip appears to have formed part of traditional Aboriginal beliefs and stories throughout Australia, although its name varied according to tribal nomenclature.
In his 2001 book, writer Robert Holden identified at least nine regional variations
Drawing of a Bunyip skull, suggesting that there are multiple Bunyip.
for the creature known as the bunyip across Aboriginal Australia. Various written accounts of bunyips were made by Europeans in the early and mid-19th century, as settlement spread across the country.
Trivia
- The Bunyip is the first Cryptid on the cryptid wiki to have a changed authenticity status, from Unknown Authenticity Status to Presumed Authentic.