balanda

English

Alternative forms

• ballanda, ballander

Etymology

From Dhuwal balanda, from Makasar Balanda, from Malay Belanda, from Portuguese Holanda.

Noun

balanda (plural balandas)

1. (Australian Aboriginal, Arnhem Land) A white person, a European.
   • 1845, Ludwig Leichhardt, Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia:

     They knew the white people of Victoria, and called them Balanda, which is nothing more than ‘Hollanders’; a name used by the Malays, from whom they received it.

   • 1915, E. R. Masson, Untamed Territory:

     The blacks rushed up to the house calling ‘Ballanda, Ballanda’—white man—and the Boss and Missus ran out.

   • 1943, W. E. Harney, Taboo:

     On the natives’ side are […] fear of the Ballander-whiteman and the thought of losing their country.

   • 1978, J. Mirritji, My People’s Life:

     Then I understood that this ‘balanda’ means people with skins like the white clay.

   • 1987, G. Francis, God’s Best Country:

     That’s the only road back for them […] to be rid of all your partonising, domineering balanda ways.

   • 1989, B. Neidjie, Story About Feeling:

     Balanda! If Aborigine e says something ... e want to stop im Balanda ... e might listen.

   • 1993 January 28, Canberra Times,:

     There are a lot of fans both balanda white and yolngu (east Arnhem Land Aborigines).

Synonyms

• gubbah
• migaloo
• whitefella

Anagrams

• bandala

Dhuwal

Etymology

From Makasar Balanda, from Malay Belanda, from Portuguese Holanda.

Noun

balanda

1. a white person

References

Lowe, Beulah (2004) Yolngu - English Dictionary, first edition, Arnhem Land: ARDS Inc.