Djinang people facts for kids

The Djinang are an Aboriginal Australian people. They live in the Northern Territory of Australia. They have a rich culture and history.

Name

The name Djinang comes from an old word in their language. This word means 'this'.

Country

The Djinang people live in the Northern Territory. Their traditional lands are often described as being close to the Yan-nhaŋu people's lands. One expert, Norman Tindale, said their land was about 700 square miles (1,800 km²). This area included the Crocodile Islands and Milingimbi. It also stretched south to the mainland near the Blyth River. On the mainland, their land goes east to the Glyde Inlet and river. It reaches the northern parts of the Arafura Swamp. However, another expert, Bruce Waters, says most Djinang people live on the mainland. Only a few live on the islands.

Language

The Djinang language is part of the Yolŋu languages family. But it is not easy for Djinang speakers to understand other Yolŋu languages. It is most similar to the Djinba language. About 60% of their words are alike. In 1989, it was thought that about 200 Djinang speakers lived in Ramangiŋing. Smaller groups also lived on Milingimbi and at Maningrida.

Social Organization

The Djinang people are made up of seven main groups. These groups are sometimes called clans.

• Manyarring
• Marrangu
• Murrungun
• Balmbi
• Djadiwitjibi
• Mildjingi
• Wu(r)laki

These groups are more than just families. For example, Marrangu-Djinang means a special area of land. It includes important places and the people connected to them. Each group name has many cultural meanings.

History of Contact

When mission stations came to the area, many Djinang people lived at Milingimbi or Maningrida. This was true until at least the late 1960s. Even though only a few became Christian, the Djinang and Djinba people still respect the missions. The missions helped them feel safer in their homelands. They also helped reduce conflicts between tribes.

Some words

• ama (mummy)
• butjiy (dog)
• gandayala (plains kangaroo)
• ingki (no)
• maḻu (daddy)

Alternative names