Gamilaraay facts for kids
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| Total population | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| approx. 13,000 | ||||||||
| Regions with significant populations | ||||||||
| Languages | ||||||||
| Gamilaroi language, English and Aboriginal English | ||||||||
| Religion | ||||||||
| Christianity, Traditional, Islam | ||||||||
| Related ethnic groups | ||||||||
| Indigenous Australians | ||||||||
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The Gamilaraay people, also known as Gomeroi or Kamilaroi, are an Aboriginal Australian group. Their traditional lands stretch from New South Wales into southern Queensland. They are one of the four largest Indigenous nations in Australia.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Gamilaraay comes from two words in their language. Gamil means "no," and -(b)araay means "having." Many Aboriginal tribes named themselves after their word for "no."
You might have heard the name Kamilaroi in other places. For example, the Kamilaroi Highway is named after them. A ferry in Sydney was also called "Kamilaroi." The famous Australian rapper and singer The Kid Laroi chose his stage name from the Kamilaroi people. Even a type of wheat is called Kamilaroi!
Their Language
The Gamilaraay language is part of a larger group called Pama–Nyungan languages. Sadly, the last people who spoke Gamilaraay fluently passed away in the 1950s.
However, experts have been able to learn a lot about the language. They used old recordings and studied a related language called Yuwaalaraay. This has helped them bring much of the Gamilaraay language back to life.
Like many other tribes, the Gamilaraay taught young men a special, secret language called tyake. This was used during important initiation ceremonies. It meant they had different words for everyday things during these sacred times.
Their Traditional Lands
The Gamilaraay people's traditional lands covered a huge area. It was about 75,000 square kilometers (29,000 square miles). This land stretched from Singleton in the Hunter Valley to the Warrumbungle Mountains.
It also included towns like Quirindi, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Narrabri, Moree, and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. Their country even reached Nindigully in southern Queensland.
Their Way of Life
The Gamilaraay were skilled hunters and gatherers. They also grew some foods. Important plant foods included yams and other roots. They also made bread from a type of grain. They gathered insect larvae, frogs, and eggs from different animals.
For hunting, they caught birds, kangaroos, emus, possums, echidnas, and bandicoots. They also ate fish, crayfish, mussels, and shrimp. Men usually hunted and prepared the animals. Women did the cooking, fishing, and farming. Gamilaraay people would not eat animals that were their family's totem.
The Gamilaraay nation was made up of many smaller family groups. Each group had its own land to live on and find food. One famous leader was "Red Chief," who is buried near Gunnedah. The Gamilaraay were known as strong warriors. They sometimes had conflicts with other tribes. The northern Gamilaraay people had close ties with the Bigambul people. They often met for ceremonies at Boobera Lagoon.
Gamilaraay Dreaming Stories
Gamilaraay traditions include stories about Baiame. He is an important ancestor or creator god. The stories say that Baiame came down from the sky. He created the rivers, mountains, and forests. Then, he gave the people their laws, traditions, songs, and culture. He also created the first initiation site, called a bora. This was a special place where boys became men.
After his work, Baiame returned to the sky. People called him the Sky Hero or Sky Father. He is said to be married to Birrahgnooloo, who is often seen as an emu. They have a son named Turramūlan. In some stories, Turramūlan is Baiame's brother. It was forbidden to say Baiame's name in public. Women were not allowed to see drawings of Baiame or go to his sacred sites. Instead, women were taught by Turramūlan's sister, Muni Burribian.
In rock paintings, Baiame often looks like a human with a large headdress. Footsteps are often painted nearby. He is always shown from the front. Turramūlan is drawn from the side. Baiame's paintings often have special decorations like waistbands and lines on his body.
Gamilaraay star stories tell about Orion, called Berriberri. He chased the Pleiades stars, known as Miai-miai. They turned into yellow and white cockatoos. Turramūlan, a one-eyed, one-legged figure, stopped Orion from catching them. The Gamilaraay called Orion's Belt ghūtūr, a belt that covered his powerful boomerang. The seventh Pleiades star was shy and turned into the least visible star.
Initiation Ceremonies
The Gamilaraay had special ceremonies called rites of passage. These helped young men become full members of the tribe. These ceremonies were called Bora ceremonies and took place at special sites. Tribes from nearby areas would gather, and the ceremonies could last for several days.
A main bora site, sometimes called Baiame's ground, was a large cleared circle. It had a raised edge. From this main circle, a narrow path led to a smaller circle. Along this path, there were special carvings and figures made from earth or tree bark. These figures helped teach the young men about their tribal beliefs and traditions as they walked the path.
Sandstone Caves and Language
The Sandstone Caves are in the Pilliga Nature Reserve. The Gamilaraay people help manage these caves with the NPWS. All the signs at the caves are written in the Gamilaraay language first, then in English. This shows how important their language and culture are.
Here is a small example of the Gamilaraay and English text you might see:
| Nhalay Yarrul
Burranbalngayaldanhi Mulamula, nhalay yarrul! |
This rock
Water & wind have caused this rock Look out! |
Yilambu
Yilambu dhurray marandu Ngamila! |
Long Ago
Our ancestors made stone tools. Look out! |
Dhawun
Giirr dhulubaraay dhibaraay, Giirr dhamali dhawundu nginunha! |
The land
Around here there are plants, Let the land touch you! |
Some Gamilaraay Words
- bundar: kangaroo
- buruma: dog
Famous Gamilaraay People
Many Gamilaraay people have become well-known in different fields.
Traditional Leaders
- Gambu Ganuurru
- Mary Jane Cain
Modern Gamilaraay People
- Richard Bell – a modern artist
- Greg Bird – a rugby league player
- Brooke Boney – a journalist and TV presenter
- Adam Giles – a former politician
- Jason Gillespie – a famous Australian Test cricketer
- Cameron Hammond – a professional boxer
- Donna Hartz – a midwife and academic
- Damien Hooper – a professional boxer
- Ben Jones – a rugby league player
- The Kid Laroi – a popular rapper, singer, and songwriter
- Mundara Koorang – an artist, designer, and author
- Michael Lett – a rugby league player
- Nakkiah Lui – a writer, actor, and director
- Ray Martin – a well-known TV presenter
- Tracey Moffatt – a contemporary artist
- Lyall Munro Jnr (born 1931) – an activist and elder
- Lyall Munro Snr (1931–2020) – an activist and elder
- Karlie Noon – an astronomer
- Thelma Plum – a folk singer/songwriter
- George Rose – a rugby league player
- Dale Shearer – a former rugby league player
- Mitch Tambo – an electronic/pop/hip-hop singer
- Nathan Thomas – a water polo player who competed in the Olympics
- Tarryn Thomas – an AFL player
- Brad Tighe – a rugby league player
- Corey Tutt – Young Australian of the Year NSW 2020, founder of DeadlyScience
- Luke Walsh – a rugby league player
- Len Waters – the first and only Aboriginal fighter pilot in World War 2
- Laurence Blacklock-Whitehead - a traditional visual artist and actor
- Jonathan Wright – a rugby league player
- Connor Watson – an Australian rugby league player
See also
- Gamilaroi Nature Reserve
- Gamilaraay language
- gurre kamilaroi
- Kamilaroi Highway
