Dharug facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dharug people
aka Darug, Dharruk, Dharrook, Darrook, Dharung, Broken Bay tribe
The Sydney Basin, the traditional land of the Dharug people.
Hierarchy
Language family	Pama–Nyungan
Language branch:	Yuin–Kuric
Language group:	Dharug
Group dialects:	Inland Dharug & Coastal Dharug
Area (approx. 6,000 sq. km)
Bioregion:	Cumberland Plain, Sydney basin
Location:	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates:	33°35′S 150°35′E / 33.583°S 150.583°E / -33.583; 150.583
Mountains:	Blue Mountains
Rivers:	Cooks, Georges, Hawkesbury, Lane Cove, Nepean, Parramatta
Notable individuals
Pemulwuy
Anthony Fernando

The Dharug (also spelled Darug) people are a proud and ancient nation of Aboriginal Australian clans who have lived for thousands of years in the region of what is now Sydney, Australia. They are deeply connected to their land, culture, and kinship ties, and are known for their rich history as skilled hunters and gatherers. Their story is a vital part of Australia's heritage, encompassing a vibrant traditional way of life, significant interactions with early European settlers, and ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate their identity.

A Journey into Dharug Country: The Heart of a Nation

The Dharug people are one of the many First Nations of Australia, with a history stretching back tens of thousands of years. Before European settlement, they thrived as a self-sufficient society, living in harmony with the natural environment of their ancestral lands. Their culture is rich with traditions, stories, and a deep understanding of the land and its resources.

Who are the Dharug People?

The Dharug people are a collective of Aboriginal Australian clans, united by shared kinship, a common country, and a distinct culture. They are the traditional custodians of the land that now forms much of modern-day Sydney and its surrounding areas. Their way of life was centered around hunting, gathering, and fishing, adapting to the diverse landscapes of their territory.

Dharug Country: A Vast and Varied Landscape

Dharug country is an expansive and beautiful region, covering approximately 6,000 square kilometers (about 2,300 square miles). This vast territory stretches across a significant part of what is now New South Wales.

• Northern Borders: To the north, Dharug land reaches the majestic Hawkesbury River and its mouth at Broken Bay, forming a border with the Awabakal people.
• Northwest Expansion: In the northwest, Dharug country extends towards the town of Mount Victoria, nestled within the stunning Blue * Mountains, where it meets the Darkinjung people's territory.
• Western Frontiers: The eastern edge of the Blue Mountains marks the beginning of Wiradjuri country to the west.
• Southwest Connections: In the Southern Highlands, to the southwest, Dharug land shares a border with Gandangara country.
• Southeast Boundaries: The Illawarra area in the southeast defines the border with the traditional Tharawal lands.

Within these borders, the Dharug traditional country includes many familiar modern-day areas such as Campbelltown, Liverpool, Camden, Penrith, and Windsor. These places, now bustling towns and cities, were once the vibrant heartlands where Dharug clans lived, hunted, and performed their ceremonies.

The Voice of the Land: Dharug Language and People

Language is a cornerstone of culture, and the Dharug language is no exception. It is a vital link to the past, carrying the wisdom, stories, and traditions of generations.

Dharug Language: Two Distinct Dialects

The Dharug language has two main dialects, reflecting the different environments and lifestyles of the people who spoke them:

• Inland Dialect: Spoken by the groups living further from the coast.
• Coastal Dialect (Eora): Also known as Eora, this dialect was spoken by the clans living along the coastline. The word "Eora" itself means "people" or "here" in the coastal dialect, and it is sometimes used to refer to the Aboriginal people of the Sydney area generally.

Interestingly, a word from the Dharug language, "myall," has found its way into Australian English. Originally, in Dharug, the word "mayal" simply meant anyone from another clan or country. Over time, its meaning unfortunately changed in English to become a disrespectful term for an Aboriginal person who maintained a traditional way of life. This transformation highlights how words can evolve and sometimes lose their original, respectful meanings.

Paiendra and Katungal: People of the Land and Sea

The two dialects of the Dharug language are closely associated with the activities and lifestyles of the people who spoke them:

• Paiendra ("Tool People"): These were the inland Dharug, known for their hunting skills. They primarily hunted large land animals like kangaroos and emus. Their tools, especially stone axes, were essential for their way of life, used more extensively than by their coastal relatives.
• Katungal ("Sea People"): These were the coastal Dharug, who were expert seafarers and fishers. They were skilled at building canoes and relied heavily on seafood for their diet. They harvested a rich variety of fish and shellfish from the abundant waters of Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, and the rivers flowing into them. This division of labor and lifestyle allowed the Dharug nation to utilize the full range of resources available across their diverse country.

Dharug Clans: Family and Community

The Dharug nation was made up of numerous clans, each with its own specific geographic area and strong ties of kinship. These clans can be broadly grouped into the inland Dharug and the coastal Dharug (Eora) based on their language dialect.

Each clan, along with its descendant groups, typically consisted of approximately 50 to 400 individuals. These groups lived in their own particular areas, managing their resources and maintaining their traditions. While some experts, like academic James Kohen, describe around 15 main clans, others suggest there were as many as 29 individual clans, showing the rich diversity within the Dharug nation.

Map of the Indigenous clans of the Sydney region

A Complex Past: History of Contact with European Settlers

The arrival of European settlers in the late 18th century brought profound changes to the lives of the Dharug people. This period was marked by significant conflict, cultural clashes, and devastating impacts on the Aboriginal population.

Early Conflicts (1794-1830s)

From 1794 to about 1830, the Hawkesbury River area became a focal point of conflict between the Dharug people and the growing number of British settlers. The settlers established farms, which directly disrupted the Dharug people's traditional access to the river and their vital food gathering areas. When Dharug people took crops from these farms, which they saw as their traditional food sources, they often faced severe and violent consequences from the settlers, including being killed. In retaliation, the Dharug people sometimes burned the farmers' crops.

As the level of conflict escalated, the colonial government became involved:

• 1795: Government troops were sent to protect the settlers.

• 1801: Governor King issued orders for troops to patrol farms on the Georges River and to use force against Dharug people they encountered, leading to further violence.

• 1816: Governor Macquarie introduced strict rules, forbidding Aboriginal people from carrying any weapons within two kilometers of a house or town, or from gathering in groups larger than six. He also allowed settlers to form vigilante groups and established three new military outposts, further increasing tensions and conflict.

Pemulwuy: A Warrior's Legacy

One of the most significant figures during this period of conflict was Pemulwuy, a powerful Dharug warrior. He led a group that actively resisted the British expansion. In one notable event, his group raided Parramatta, where Pemulwuy was severely wounded but managed to escape. His group was accused of being involved in the deaths of some settlers. The government issued orders for his capture, dead or alive.

Tragically, Pemulwuy was killed by settlers in 1802. In a deeply disrespectful act, his head was taken and sent to England by Governor King to Sir Joseph Banks. Although there was a promise in 2010 that his remains would be returned, the skull has not been located. Pemulwuy remains a symbol of resistance and a reminder of the harsh realities faced by Aboriginal people during the early colonial period.

Continued Resistance and Devastation

Pemulwuy's legacy of resistance was carried on by others, including his son, Tedbury, who continued to raid farms until 1810. Another warrior named Mosquito led raids for about 20 years before he was captured and tragically hanged in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in 1823.

Beyond the direct conflicts, the Dharug people faced another devastating threat: disease. Smallpox, introduced by the British in 1789, had a catastrophic impact, leading to the deaths of up to 90% of the Dharug population in some areas. This immense loss of life profoundly affected their communities and traditional way of life. For safety, some Dharug people sought refuge in the sandstone caves and overhangs of the Hawkesbury River region, while others continued to live in their traditional dwellings made from bark, sticks, and branches.

Ongoing Challenges and Recognition: Modern Controversies

Even in modern times, the Dharug people continue to advocate for their rights, recognition, and the preservation of their cultural heritage.

The Blacktown Controversy

An area of deep cultural importance to the Dharug people is a place previously known as "Blacks Town," which is now the suburb of Colebee, located within the Blacktown local government area. In 2012, the City of Blacktown Council made a controversial decision to cease its recognition of the Dharug people as the traditional owners of the area. The council also passed a motion, despite opposition from some councillors, to consider changing the name "Blacktown." In response to these decisions, an online petition was launched, calling for the recognition of the Dharug people as the traditional owners. These events highlight the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect for Aboriginal heritage in Australia.

Acknowledgement of Country

In 2020, the Hills Shire Council, whose local government area includes Dharug land, rejected requests to include an Acknowledgement of Country at its meetings. An Acknowledgement of Country is a way for people to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land. It is a common practice in Australia at the beginning of meetings, events, and ceremonies. The Hills Shire Council remains the only Sydney local council that does not include an Acknowledgement of Country at its meetings, which continues to be a point of discussion and advocacy for the Dharug community and their supporters.

Notable Dharug People: Past and Present

The Dharug nation has produced many remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and to Australian society.

• Jamal Idris, Australian professional rugby league footballer
• Anthony Fernando, an activist in the early 20th century
• Daniel Moowattin, the third Australian Aboriginal person to visit England
• Marion Leane Smith, the only Australian Aboriginal woman known to have served in the First World War
• Yarramundi, a leader of the Boorooberongal clan. His children, Maria Lock and Colebee, were among the first Aboriginal people to interact closely with the new settler society.
• Maria Lock, a Boorooberongal Dharug landowner in colonial times
• Quincy Dodd, Australian rugby league player
• Joshua Curran, Australian rugby league player

These individuals, among many others, represent the strength, resilience, and diverse talents of the Dharug people throughout history and into the present day.

Alternative Names for the Dharug People

Over time, the Dharug people and their language have been referred to by several different names, reflecting various spellings and understandings by different groups. Some of these include:

• Broken Bay tribe
• Dharruk
• Dharrook
• Dhar'rook
• Darrook
• Dharug

These alternative names are often found in historical records and anthropological studies.

See Also

• Wangal: Another Aboriginal clan group from the Sydney region.
• Eora: A term often used to refer to the coastal Aboriginal people of the Sydney area, also the name of a Dharug language dialect.