Humpy


A humpy, also known as a gunyah, wurley, wurly or wurlie, is a small, temporary shelter, traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people. These impermanent dwellings, made of branches and bark, are often built prior to the construction of more permanent buildings. They are sometimes called a lean-to, since they often rely on a standing tree for support.

Etymology

The word humpy comes from the Jagera language ; other language groups would have different names for the structure. In South Australia, such a shelter is known as a "wurley", possibly from the Kaurna language.

Usage

Both names were adopted by early white settlers, and now form part of the Australian lexicon. The use of the term appears to have broadened in later usage to include any temporary building made from any available materials, including canvas, flattened metal drums, and sheets of corrugated iron.

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