Jarildekald people facts for kids
The Jarildekald (also called Yarilde) are an Indigenous Australian people. They come from the eastern side of Lake Alexandrina and the Murray River in South Australia. They have a rich history and culture connected to these important waterways.
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What's in a Name?
The name Jarildekald comes from an old phrase, 'Jarawalangan?'. This means 'Where shall we go?'. It tells a story about their ancestors. When they reached the mouth of the Murray River, they weren't sure where to travel next.
Some people, like early researcher George Taplin, grouped the Jarildekald with the Ngarrindjeri people. However, other experts, such as Norman Tindale, believe they are a distinct group. While they share some connections, it's important to see them as their own unique people.
Their Language
The Jarildekald people speak a special dialect of the Ngarrindjeri language. This dialect is known as Yarildewallin. It means 'Jaralde speech'. Language is a very important part of their culture and identity.
Where They Lived
The traditional lands of the Jarildekald covered about 1,300 square kilometres (500 square miles). Their territory was on the eastern side of Lake Alexandrina and the Murray River.
Their country stretched from Loveday Bay on the Narrung Peninsula to Mobilong. It also went east towards Meningie and the Cookes Plains. These areas were vital for their way of life.
Jarildekald Clans and Totems
The Jarildekald people were made up of many different groups called clans or hordes. Each clan had special connections to certain animals, plants, or natural elements. These connections are called totems. Totems are very important in Indigenous cultures. They represent a spiritual link and a responsibility to care for that part of nature.
Here are some of the Jarildekald clans and their totems:
| Clan Name | Totems |
|---|---|
| Luŋundinďerar. | morinďeriorn. (White-bellied sea eagle), ťeniťeri. (seagull or tern) |
| Kaŋaninďerar. | kalu (a type of bird), wankeri (mullet-like fish) |
| Kandukari. | ťeniťeri. (seagull or tern) |
| Retirinďerar. | waiyi (brown snake), wiruri (spider) |
| Manäŋkar. | rakalde (water-rat), kinkindili (small back turtle) |
| Liwurinďerar. | nguari (pelican), tukuri (silver bream) |
| Milinďerar. | rakalde (water-rat), kinkindili (small turtle) |
| Turarorn. | turi (coot) |
| Yedawulinďerar. | panki (water plant), maińŋuni (stinging nettle) |
| Wuraltinďerar. | kunŋari (swan) |
| Kinarinďerar. | paraŋuwaťeri (snake) |
| Krapinďerar. | peláŋe (small butterfish), karaiyi (snake), puŋkalateri (prickly lizard) |
| Paraigelďerar. | tukuri (silver bream) |
| Yukinďerar. | piuwińi (hawk) |
| Limpinďerar. | waldi (hot weather) |
| Wutsautinďerar/Waltarpularorn. | waldi (hot weather), waltarwaltarińeri (a small bird) |
| Raŋurinďerar. | keli (wild dog of dark fur), kalari (sleepy lizard) |
| Mulberaperar/Mulberapinďerar. | noŋkulauri (mountain duck) |
| Yankinďerar. | nowari (pelican), pomeri (catfish), përi (hawk), tuyuŋui (monitor lizard) |
| Karatinďerar. | wild dog of light fur |
| Piltinďerar. | pomeri (catfish) |
Other Names for the Jarildekald
Over time, the Jarildekald people have been known by several different names. These include:
- Jaralde (a shorter version of the name)
- Lakalinyeri (a clan name from Point McLeay)
- Piccanini Murray people
- Warawalde (a northern clan from Nalpa)
- Yalawarre
- Yarilde, Yaralde, Yarrildie, Jaraldi, Yarildewallin (referring to their speech)
