<hw>Bunya-Bunya</hw>, <i>n</i>. aboriginal word. [<i>Bunyi</i> at heads of Burnett, Mary, and Brisbane rivers, Queensland; <i>baanya</i>, on the Darling Downs.] An Australian tree, <i>Araucaria bidwillii</i>, Hooker, with fruit somewhat like <i>Bertholletia excelsa</i>, <i>N.O. Coniferae</i>. Widgi-Widgi station on the Mary was the head-quarters for the fruit of this tree, and some thousands of blacks used to assemble there in the season to feast on it; it was at this assembly that they used to indulge in cannibalism ; every third year the trees were said to bear a very abundant crop. The Bunya-Bunya mountains in Queensland derive their name from this tree.
1843. L. Leichhardt, Letter in `Cooksland, by J. D. Lang, p. 82:
"The bunya-bunya tree is noble and gigantic, and its umbrella-like head overtowers all the trees of the bush."
1844. Ibid. p. 89:
"The kernel of the Bunya fruit has a very fine aroma, and it is certainly delicious eating."
1844. `Port Phillip Patriot,' July 25:
"The Bunya-Bunya or <i>Araucaria</i> on the seeds of which numerous tribes of blacks are accustomed to feed."
1879. W. R. Guilfoyle, `First Book of Australian Botany,' p. 58:
"A splendid timber tree of South Queensland, where it forms dense forests, one of the finest of the Araucaria tribe, attaining an approximate height of 200 feet. The Bunya-Bunya withstands drought better than most of the genus, and flourishes luxuriantly in and around Melbourne."
1887. J. Mathew, in Curr's `Australian Race,' vol. iii. p. 161: