Goenpul facts for kids
The Goenpul people, sometimes called Koenpal, are an Aboriginal Australian group. They are one of three main groups that make up the Quandamooka people. Traditionally, the Goenpul lived on the southern part of Stradbroke Island in southern Queensland. Today, they often prefer to be called Dandrubin Gorenpul.
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What's in a Name? The Goenpul Identity
How the Goenpul Got Their Name
Many Aboriginal groups in the Brisbane area named themselves after their word for 'no'. This was a common way to create a group's name, also known as an ethnonym. The names Djandai and Goenpul both follow this tradition.
The word Djandai refers to the language spoken by the Goenpul people. The name Goenpul comes from the word goa. This word means 'no' in the language spoken on Moreton Island.
Goenpul Traditional Lands: Custodians of Moreton Bay
Where Did the Goenpul Live?
The Goenpul people traditionally lived on the southern part of Stradbroke Island. Their traditional lands covered about 100 square miles (260 km2). To their north lived another group called the Nunukul people.
Custodians of the Land
The Goenpul are one of the three main groups that form the Quandamooka people. The other two groups are the Nunukul and the Ngugi. Together, these groups are the traditional custodians of Moreton Bay. This means they have ancient rights and responsibilities to care for this land and sea country.
Other Names for the Goenpul People
The Goenpul people have been known by several other names over time. These names include:
- Coobenpil
- Djandai (which means 'no')
- Dsandai
- Tchandi
- Jandai
- Jendairwal
- Jundai
- Noogoon (this name refers to St. Helens Island)
