Aboriginal groupings of Western Australia facts for kids
This article explores the different Aboriginal groups and their traditional ways of organizing families in Western Australia. These groups are based on a map made by Norman Tindale in 1974. This map shows the traditional boundaries of these groups.
- Noongar people live in the South West part of Western Australia. European settlement started affecting them around 1827. Today, the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council represents them. The Noongar people have five main ways of organizing their families:
* Perth Type: In this system, family groups are traced through the mother's side. They also have special groups called "totemic clans," which are linked to specific animals or plants. Local family groups are traced through the father's side. This type includes groups like Amangu, Yued, Whadjuk, Binjareb, Wardandi, Ganeang, and Wilmen. * Nyakinyaki Type: This system is similar to the Western Desert style. It organizes people into different generations. Local family groups are traced through the father's side. This type includes Balardong and Nyakinyaki. * Bibelmen Type: Here, family groups are traced through the father's side. Local family groups are also traced through the father's side. This type includes Bibulmen and Minang. * Wudjari Type: This is similar to the Nyakinyaki type. However, they have specific names for their local family groups, which are linked to totems and traced through the father's side. * Nyunga Type: This system is like the Wangai type. It has two main family divisions, named Bee-eater and Kingfisher. People marry within their own division, but their children belong to the opposite division. This is a special way of organizing families, different from the Western Desert system. This type includes Nyunga.
- Yamatji people live in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions. They were affected by European settlement from the 1840s. Today, the Yamatji Bana Baaba Marlpa Land and Sea Council represents them. The Yamatji have several ways of organizing their families:
* Nganda Type: In this system, local family groups are linked to totems and traced through the father's side. They do not have the larger "moieties" or "sections" that some other groups have. This type includes Nganda and Nandu. * Inggadi-Badimaia Type: In this system, the larger "sections" are not always clearly defined. Local family groups, linked to totems and traced through the father's side, are grouped into bigger divisions. This type includes Inggada, Dadei, Malgada, Ngugan, Widi, Badimaia, Wadjari, and Goara. * Djalenji-Maia Type: This system uses "sections" that are connected to family terms. Family groups are traced through the mother's side. This type includes Noala, Djalenji, Yinigudira, Baiyungu, Maia, Malgaru, Dargari, Buduna, Guwari, Warianga, Djiwali, Djururu, Nyanu, Bandjima, Inawongga, Gurama, Binigura, and Guwari. * Nyangamada Type: This system uses "sections" where descent is traced indirectly through the mother's side. However, local family groups are traced through the father's side. This type includes Bailgu, Indjibandji, Mardudunera, Yaburara, Ngaluma, Gareira, Nyamal, Ngala, and Nyangamada.
- Wankai or Wongi people live in the Goldfields and Nullarbor regions of Western Australia. They were affected by European settlement from the 1880s. Today, the Goldfields Land and Sea Aboriginal Council Corporation represents them. They have two main ways of organizing families:
* Galamaia-Gelago Type: This system is similar to the Nyunga type. It includes Galamaia, Ngurlu, Maduwongga, and Gelago. * Mirning Type: In this system, local family groups are linked to totems and traced through the father's side. They do not have "moieties" or "sections." This is similar to the Western Desert system. This type includes Ngadjunmaia and Mirning.
- Kimberley Peoples live in the Kimberley region. They speak many different languages. They were affected by European settlement from the 1870s. Today, the Kimberley Land Council represents them. Some of their family organization types include:
* Garadjeri Type: This system is like the Nyangamada type. It includes Garadjeri, Mangala, Yaoro, Djungun, Ngombal, Djaberadjabera, and Nyulnyul. * Bardi Type: In this system, local family groups are traced through the father's side. They do not have "moieties" or "sections." This type includes Warwar, Nimanburu, Ongarang, and Djaul Djaui. * Ungarinyin Type: In this system, family groups are traced through the father's side. This type includes Umedi, Wungemi, and Worora, Wunumbul.
- Ngaanyatjarra people live in the Central Desert region. They have been less affected by European settlement compared to other Aboriginal groups in Western Australia.
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