Gurr-Goni facts for kids

The Gungorogone are a group of Indigenous people who live in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are known for their unique language and strong connection to their traditional lands.

What's in a Name?

The Gungorogone people call themselves by a name that seems to come from two parts: gurr- and -goni. The word -goni means 'this' in their language.

Their Language: Gurr-Goni

The Gungorogone people speak a language called Gurr-Goni. This language is part of the Gunwinyguan family of languages. It is one of four main languages spoken around Maningrida. The other languages are Ndjebbana, Nakkara, and Burarra.

Even though these languages are related, they don't share many words. For example, Gurr-Goni shares only about 22% of its words with Ndjebbana. It shares about 24% with Nakkara.

Gurr-Goni has two main ways of speaking, called dialects. These dialects are linked to the two main social groups, or moieties, within the Gungorogone people. One dialect is called gun-dakangurrngu Gurrgoni, which means 'hard Gurr-Goni'. The other is gunnjalkitj, meaning 'soft' Gurr-Goni.

Their Traditional Lands

The Gungorogone people traditionally lived inland, south of Maningrida. Their lands were to the southeast of the Tomkinson River's starting point. They also lived on and to the west of the Cadell River.

They shared borders with several other Indigenous groups. To their west were the Dangkolo and Manengkererrbe clans. To the north were the Gunavidji and Nakkara people. Moving clockwise, they bordered the Burarra and Gun-nartpa, Ngulinj clan. Finally, the Kardbam clan lived to their south.

How Their Society is Organized

The Gungorogone people were made up of five main family groups, called clans.

• The Boburerre clan
• The Andirrdjalaba clan
• The Gulumarrarra clan

Some clans are no longer active:

• The Atbimingi clan
• The Marrarditj clan

Their society is also divided into two main social groups, or moieties. These two groups have different ways of speaking the Gurr-Goni language, as mentioned earlier.

• The Yirrtjinga moiety
• The Djowunga moiety

Other Names for the Gungorogone

Sometimes, the Gungorogone people are known by slightly different names, such as:

• Gungoragone
• Gungoro:lgo:ngi
• Gungarawoni
• Gungurulgungi