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Billabong (/ˈbɪləbɒŋ/ BIL-ə-bong) is an Australian term for an oxbow lake, an isolated pond left behind after a river changes course.[1] Billabongs are usually formed when the path of a creek or river changes, leaving the former branch with a dead end. As a result of the arid Australian climate in which these "dead rivers" are often found, billabongs fill with water seasonally but can be dry for a greater part of the year.[2]

Etymology

The etymology of the word billabong is disputed. The word is most likely derived from the Wiradjuri term bilabaŋ, which means "a watercourse that runs only after rain". It is derived from bila, meaning "river",[3] It may have been combined with bong or bung, meaning "dead".[4][5] One source, however, claims that the term is of Scottish Gaelic origin.[6]

Billabongs were significant because they held water longer than parts of rivers; it was important for people to identify and name these areas.[7][8][9]

References in Australian culture

In literature

• Banjo Paterson's popular song "Waltzing Matilda" is set beside a billabong.

• Mary Grant Bruce wrote a series of books, known as The Billabong Series, depicting the adventures of the Linton family, who live at Billabong station from around 1911[10] until the late 1920s.[11][12]

In art

Both Aboriginal Australians and European artists use billabongs as subject matter in painting. For example, Aboriginal painter Tjyllyungoo (Lance Chad) has a watercolour entitled Trees at a billabong.[13]

American avant-garde filmmaker Will Hindle produced a short film titled Billabong in 1969.

In commerce

Billabong is the name of an Australian brand of sportswear for surf, skateboard, and snowboard.

See also

• Guelta
• Limnology
• Meander

References

External links

Look up billabong in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Media related to Billabongs of Australia at Wikimedia Commons

На других языках

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[de] Billabong

Billabong ist ein in Australien verwendeter Begriff aus der Sprache der Aborigines für ein Gewässer, wie beispielsweise einen versickernden Flussarm oder ein Wasserloch in einem Flusslauf, das sich ähnlich einem Wadi in der Regenzeit mit Wasser füllt und während der Trockenzeit mehr oder minder stark austrocknet.[1][2] Da ein Billabong meistens eine von nur wenigen Wasserquellen in der näheren Region ist und oft länger Wasser führt als der Wasserlauf selbst, wird dieser von Mensch und Tier gleichermaßen stark besucht.

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- [en] Billabong

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[fr] Billabong (Australie)

Un billabong est une étendue d'eau constituée d'un méandre mort qui se forme généralement quand le cours d'une rivière change. C'est un hydronyme typiquement australien.

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