Baiame
Baiame, in Australian mythology, is revered as the great totemic ancestor and creator figure of the Kamilaroi (or Kamilaron) people, who inhabit parts of New South Wales. Known as a sky deity and the father of all, Baiame is credited with shaping the world and imparting knowledge to his people. He taught the Kamilaroi tribe important customs, laws, and sacred rites, providing a spiritual framework that connected them to the land and the heavens. His teachings laid the foundation for their cultural identity, instilling practices that governed social conduct and religious ceremonies.
Baiame had two wives. His first, Cunnembeille, bore him children, continuing his lineage. His second and favorite wife, Birrahgnooloo, while not a mother, played a significant role in the cosmic balance. Birrahgnooloo is known as a powerful figure associated with water and the natural elements. She is believed to have the ability to send floods upon the earth, wielding control over life-giving and destructive forces. This duality reflects her deep connection to both creation and destruction.
In times of drought or need, the people invoke Baiame to bring rain, acknowledging his power to control the skies and restore balance. Together, Baiame and Birrahgnooloo symbolize the delicate relationship between creation, sustenance, and the forces of nature, reminding the Kamilaroi people of their place within the wider, interconnected universe.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
