Jawoyn facts for kids

The Jawoyn (also called Djauan) are an Indigenous Australian people. They live in the Northern Territory of Australia. The Bagala clan is one part of the Jawoyn people.

Jawoyn Language

The Jawoyn language is called Kumertuo. It is part of a group of languages found in Arnhem Land. Long ago, there were many different ways of speaking Kumertuo. But over time, these different ways have started to become one standard language.

Jawoyn Country

Map showing the traditional lands of the Aboriginal tribes in the Roper River area of Northern Territory, Australia

The traditional land of the Jawoyn people is in the Katherine Gorge area of the Northern Territory. The Jawoyn people call this special place Nitmiluk. This name comes from two words: nitmi, which is the sound a cicada makes, and luk, which means "place".

Nitmiluk is a 12-kilometer stretch of amazing gorges and ravines. For the Jawoyn, being "Jawoyn" means more than just speaking the language. It also means being connected to these landscapes and the stories from their ancient creation time, called the Dreamtime. The Jawoyn language was spoken along the Katherine River system. Their land reached south to Maranboy and west near Katherine.

Dreamtime Stories

In Aboriginal beliefs, each language came about during the time of creation. During this time, special spirit beings moved across the land. They shaped the landscape and gave names to all the features. These beings also changed languages at certain points, which then marked the borders between different language groups.

For the Jawoyn, the Katherine Gorge was created in the ancient time, called burr, by a spirit being named Nabilil. Nabilil was a crocodile. He came from the sea with his firestick and named all the special places in the Jawoyn language.

Other important figures from the Burr Dreamtime include Boolong, the Rainbow Serpent, and Barraya, the kookaburra.

History and Events

In November 1948, many Jawoyn people moved to a government settlement called Tandandjal. This settlement was set up for Aboriginal people. In June of that same year, a cave was found nearby. It had old stone tools and paintings on its walls.

Notable Jawoyn People

• John Ah Kit
• Ngaree Ah Kit

Bangardi Robert Lee (1952–2005) was an important leader of the Bagala clan. He started the Barunga Sport and Cultural Festival in 1985. This festival became a key place for people to share ideas. It showed off the cultures and talents of Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander people. It also allowed discussions about social and political issues.

At the 1988 festival, Jawoyn leaders met with important Indigenous land council representatives, Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Wenten Rubuntja. They also met with the Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. At this event, Yunupingu and Rubuntja gave Prime Minister Hawke the Barunga Statement. This statement clearly stated the rights of the Indigenous people who are the original owners of Australia.

Jawoyn Seasons

The Jawoyn people have a traditional calendar with six seasons:

Other Names for Jawoyn

Some Jawoyn Words

• Bobo: "Goodbye"
• Yowoyn: "Yes", "alright"

See also

• Edith Falls
• Nitmiluk National Park