Djindubari facts for kids

The Djindubari people are an Aboriginal Australian group. They traditionally lived on Bribie Island in southern Queensland, Australia. Some people believe they were a smaller group, or 'horde', connected to the Undanbi people.

Djindubari Language

The word "koala" might come from the Djindubari language. They called this animal kulla. An early researcher, Archibald Meston, wrote down about 300 words and 40 sentences from their language in 1874. He said the language itself was called Nhulla.

The Djindubari People

Europeans who met the Djindubari often described them as tall and strong. In 1823, a visitor noted that the women of Bribie Island were "tall, straight, well-formed," and very beautiful. At the start of European settlement, there were about 66 Djindubari people. This included around 30 men, 16 women, and 20 children.

The Djindubari had special ceremonies called Dooroo on Bribie Island. These were important initiation rites. Some early observers thought the Djindubari were very brave and strong. They were respected by other groups on the mainland.

Djindubari Country

The Djindubari called their land Yarun. Today, we know it as Bribie Island. A researcher named Norman Tindale believed the Djindubari were a smaller group living only on Bribie Island. He thought they were part of a larger group called the Undanbi. The Undanbi lived across about 900 square miles (2,330 square kilometers) of land. This area included the coast from Coolum Beach to Moreton Bay. It also stretched inland towards the Pine River district and the Glasshouse Mountains. The Djindubari were also connected to the larger Gubbi Gubbi tribe.

In the 1820s, people described the islanders living in fishing villages. These villages had many huts. Some huts were quite large, with one being over 24 meters long. It was built with arches, rooms, and passages.

Contact with Europeans

Matthew Flinders was the first European explorer known to land on Bribie Island. This happened in 1799. He met the Djindubari people. At first, there was a misunderstanding during a trade for a fishing net. Some Djindubari threw sticks and a spear as Flinders' boat left. Flinders ordered his musketeers to fire, and a few Djindubari were hurt.

However, a week later, Flinders returned to the island. Their relationship seemed friendly again. Some Scottish sailors danced, and the Djindubari sang a "musical and soothing" song. Flinders noted their large heads. Sadly, by 1894, a researcher named Meston reported that the Djindubari tribe had been reduced to only one man and one woman.

Other Names for Djindubari

• Undumbi
• Oondumbi
• Mooloola (name of a river)
• Turrubul (language name) Turrbul/Churrabool
• Djuadubari/Jooaduburrie
• Bo-oobera
• Dippil

Some Djindubari Words

• goom (no)
• bootellim (koala)
• gnundial (mullet)
• mooloom (whiting)
• ginnbamm (bream)
• geebarra (catfish)
• boomamdarra (stingaree)
• carahbill (shark)
• narrang (shovelnose ray)
• boolooibillam (porpoise)
• cammeem (turtle)
• moothoong (whale)
• ganbing/yulu (eels)
• balboora (foot)