Himberrong facts for kids

The Himberrong are a special group, or clan, of the Anēwan (also called 'Nganyaywana') Aboriginal people. They traditionally lived in the area now known as the New England Tablelands in northeast New South Wales. A part of their traditional land, once known as the Inglebah Aboriginal reserve, is now a protected heritage site called an Aboriginal Place.

Himberrong Traditional Lands

The Himberrong clan's traditional lands stretched far and wide. To the west, they reached the Moonbi Range, bordering the Gamilaraay people. To the east, their land went past Yarrowitch and Kunderang, next to the Dunghutti people. In the south, it extended to Nowendoc, near the Biripi people, and north of Walcha, bordering the Inuwon. Sometimes, there were disagreements over land near the Moonbi Range with a Gamilaraay clan.

The main camp for the Himberrong was on the banks of the Muluerindie/Macdonald River. This spot was about two miles upriver from where the 140-acre (57 ha) area of Inglebah is today. In 1893, Inglebah was made an Aboriginal reserve by the NSW Aborigines Protection Board. Now, it is a protected heritage Aboriginal Place.

The name Inglebah comes from the Anaiwan language and means "whirlpools of crayfish". This is because the swamps and gullies around Inglebah have thousands of crayfish holes! Inglebah was home to many families, sometimes up to 50, until the 1940s. Later, in 1975, the land was given to the Aboriginal Land Trust, and then to the Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council. Today, Aboriginal community gatherings are often held at Inglebah.

Inglebah was a favourite spot for Aboriginal people to camp. It was great for fishing and important cultural ceremonies. It was a safe and sheltered place, tucked between hills and the Macdonald River. There was always fresh water from the springs, and many different animals could be hunted there.

Inglebah Aboriginal Reserve holds special cultural and historical significance for the Himberrong Clan.

Himberrong Language

The Himberrong clan spoke a special way of the Anaiwan language. In 1963, some Anaiwan words were recorded by Harry Wright. He wrote them down as they were spoken by people who came to Armidale from Inglebah.

Himberrong History and Culture

When Europeans first arrived, there were about 600 people in the Himberrong clan. Every year, as winter approached, the clan would leave their camp at Inglebah. They would travel east towards the Macleay River (which was Dunghutti land), but they would not go too far over the Great Dividing Range. When they returned from their winter travels, the clan would have a big corroboree. A corroboree is a traditional Aboriginal dance and gathering, often involving singing, dancing, and storytelling.

A Difficult Event at Inglebah

In the late 1800s, a very sad event happened at the Himberrong's main camp. There was a violent incident involving colonists, which caused great harm to the Himberrong clan. Many people were affected, and the clan had to leave their usual hunting grounds for a long time. The exact number of people who died is not known.