Arrernte people facts for kids
The Arrernte (pronounced like A-run-da) are a group of Aboriginal people who live in the middle of Australia. Their traditional lands are around Alice Springs (which they call Mparntwe) in the Northern Territory. Many Arrernte people still speak their own language, or one of its different forms. Some Arrernte also live in big cities across Australia or even overseas.
The Arrernte people have a strong connection to their land and their spiritual beliefs, which are centered around something called The Dreaming. In their beliefs, Altjira is a creator being who made all living things from special life-giving forces called Inapertwa. They also have sacred objects called Tjurunga, which are very important in their religion.
The Arrernte Council is a group that helps manage the Arrernte lands and represents the people. It works with the Central Land Council. Tourism is also an important part of the economy in Alice Springs and nearby communities.
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Arrernte Language and Communication
The word "Aranda" is an easier way to say Arrernte in English. Long ago, the ancestors of the Arrernte people spoke many different Arrernte languages. Today, some of these languages are almost gone, but others, like Eastern or Central Arrernte, are still widely spoken and even taught in schools.
The Arrernte people also had a very developed sign language to communicate.
Arrernte Culture and Stories
Arrernte culture and spiritual life have been studied and written about by different people over time, including missionaries and anthropologists. Arrernte men also worked with a researcher named T.G.H. Strehlow to record their songs and ceremonies between 1932 and 1974.
The Arrernte have many oral stories about how their land was formed. For example, they believe that the area around Alice Springs (Mparntwe) was shaped by special ancestral caterpillar-beings. These beings, like the Ayepe-arenye and Ntyarlke, are believed to have created parts of the MacDonnell Ranges.
Arrernte Lands
The traditional lands of the Arrernte people are very large, covering about 47,000 square miles (121,730 square kilometers). These lands include places like Mount Gosse, the Finke River, and parts of the Simpson Desert. They also extend to the MacDonnell Ranges and other areas in Central Australia.
Main Arrernte Groups
The name Arrernte refers to several different groups of people. These include:
- Central Arrernte: These people are from the town of Alice Springs.
- Eastern Arrernte: They live in the Arrernte lands to the east of Alice Springs.
- Western Arrarnta: Their lands are to the west of Alice Springs, reaching places like Mutitjulu and King's Canyon.
See Also
In Spanish: Arrente para niños
