Binbinga facts for kids

The Binbinga (also called Binbinka) are an Indigenous Australian people. They live in the Northern Territory of Australia. They have a rich history and unique traditions.

Binbinga Language

The Binbinga people speak a dialect that is part of the Mirndi languages family. This dialect is very close to Wambaya. In fact, Wambaya, Binbinka, and Gudanji are often seen as different ways of speaking the same language. Today, there are only about 89 people who speak Wambaya.

Speaking Rules

In the past, the Binbinga had special rules about speaking. When someone died, the widow, mother, and other female relatives could not speak. This ban lasted until the person had their second, final burial ceremony.

Binbinga Country

The traditional lands of the Binbinga people covered about 11,400 square kilometers (4,400 square miles). These lands stretched southeast from Old Bauhinia Downs. They included the McArthur River Station and Campbell Camp. They also covered the upper parts of the McArthur and Glyde Rivers.

River Camps

The Binbinga camps along the McArthur River were very beautiful. People built their miamias (shelters) among shady trees. These trees included native figs, Leichhardt pines, paperbarks, and screw pines. The camps were always close to the river banks.

Binbinga People

Early researchers, Baldwin Spencer and F. A. Gillen, wrote about the Binbinga people. They described the men's appearance.

Hair and Appearance

Binbinga men had very little hair on their faces. They let the hair on their heads grow long. Then, they would braid it. These braids were wrapped around the top of their heads. This made it look like they were wearing a close-fitting cap or helmet.

Binbinga Mythology

In Binbinga beliefs, there was a powerful being named Ulanji. He lived in the ancient world of the Mungai times. Ulanji was like a giant snake. He came out of a hole at a place called Makumundana.

Ulanji's Journey

After creating a waterhole filled with water lilies, Ulanji began to travel. As he moved, he created springs and creeks. He also formed the upper parts of the Limmen river. He made hills and mountain ranges too. At each important spot on his journey, he held ceremonies. During these ceremonies, spirit-children came from his body. He left these spirit-children to live in those places.

Creative Acts

At a place called Kuriella-dat-kaulu, Ulanji killed flying foxes. He had seen them hanging from the rocks. He then took two of his own ribs from his body. He shaped these ribs into two trees called Lamara. He planted these trees in the ground. At Tutita, he left behind maitjama (a type of rock). This rock could be used to make knives and spear-heads.

Final Transformation

Ulanji changed the name of a place called Nanawandula. He had created waterholes there that were full of crocodiles. He removed his heart there, so he named the place after the word for heart, Kurta-lula. After this, he went underground to keep traveling. He only came out at Uminiwura, which was the end of his journey. Finally, he disappeared into the earth.

Binbinga Rituals

The tribes in this area believed that two evil spirits caused illness. A third spirit could challenge these evil spirits. The Kurdaitcha (or medicine man) would pray to this third spirit for help.

Medicine Man's Role

In the Binbinga tradition, the medicine man had two gods. These gods were like doubles of each other and of the medicine man himself. The medicine man would sing to ask for their help in healing people.

Studying the Binbinga

The Binbinga people were first studied in detail by Spencer and Gillen. They learned a lot from a very helpful person. This person was a medicine man named Kurkutji.

Other Names for Binbinga

• Binbingha
• Binbinka
• Bing Binga
• Leepitbinga
• Pinbinga