Alawa people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| possibly several hundred (Less than 1% of the Australian population) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Australia (Northern Territory) |
|
| Languages | |
| Alawa language, English, Australian Kriol language | |
| Religion | |
| Aboriginal mythology | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ngandji people |
The Alawa people are an Indigenous Australian group. They come from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. A suburb in Darwin's north, called Alawa, is named after them.
Contents
What is the Alawa Language?
The Alawa language is a special language spoken by the Alawa people. It is not part of the larger Pama-Nyungan language family. In 1991, only 18 people spoke Alawa. By 2013, this number dropped to just 12 speakers. Most Alawa people now speak Kriol. However, there are efforts to bring the Alawa language back to life. The Minyerri School in the Alawa community is helping with this.
Where is Alawa Country?
The traditional land of the Alawa people was very large. It covered about 1,600 square miles (4,144 square kilometers). This land stretched from the southern parts of the Roper River. It went west to the Roper valley and south to Mason Bluff (Mount Mueller) and Hodgson Downs. To the east, it reached the start of Mountain Creek.
How Did the Alawa People Live?
The Alawa people had a traditional way of life. They gathered and hunted for food on their land. Their country had many animals like turtles, ducks, crocodiles, and fish. They were very clever at storing food for a long time. In 1922, someone saw a special cave they used. It was full of stored water lily seeds and roots. They would dry these foods in the sun. Then, they rubbed them with red ochre and wrapped them in paperbark. After losing much of their land, many Alawa people started working on cattle stations as jackaroos.
A Brief History of the Alawa People
In the early 1900s, a large farming company took over the Hodgson Downs area. This caused big problems for the Alawa people and other groups in the Roper River region. Many Alawa people had to leave their homes. They found safety by working for other farmers or at church missions.
What is Native Title?
The Alawa people, along with the Ngandji people, have made a native title claim. This means they are asking for legal recognition of their traditional rights to land. Their claim is for an area called the Cox River block.
