Gudanji facts for kids

The Gudanji are an Indigenous Australian people. They are also known by other names like Kotandji or Ngandji. They traditionally live in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Gudanji Language

The Gudanji people have their own special language. It is called a Ngurlun language. This language is part of a bigger group called Mirndi languages. People used to think it was similar to the Wambaya language. This means speakers of both languages could understand each other.

Traditional Lands of the Gudanji People

The Gudanji people have a large area of traditional land. A researcher named Norman Tindale estimated their lands covered about 12,000 square miles (31,000 km²).

Their country stretched from the coast near Tanumbirini in the southeast. It went all the way to the start of the McArthur River. Their lands included places like Old Wallhallow and Mallapunyah.

To the west, their land reached near Newcastle Creek. Their southern border was around the Barkly Tableland area. This included places like Anthony Lagoon and Eva Downs.

Neighbouring Groups

The Gudanji shared borders with several other Indigenous groups.

• To their north were the Yanyuwa people.
• The Garrwa lived to their east.
• The Wambaya were to their south.
• The Ngarnka lived further east.
• The Binbinga were to their northeast.

A Brief History

Before the year 1900, the Gudanji people were known to move around their lands. They sometimes moved into the areas of the Binbinga people, who lived to their northeast.

Other Names for Gudanji

The Gudanji people are known by several different names. These names might be different spellings or names given by other groups.