Kokatha facts for kids

The Kokatha people, sometimes called Kokatha Mula, are an Aboriginal group from South Australia. They speak the Kokatha language. This language is very similar to, or a dialect of, the Western Desert language.

Kokatha Lands and Home Country

The traditional lands of the Kokatha people are very large. They cover about 140,000 km² (54,000 sq mi) (which is about 54,000 sq mi (140,000 km²)). This area is in the northern part of South Australia.

Much of their land is very dry and harsh. It includes places like Tarcoola, Kingoonyah, Pimba, and McDouall Peak. Modern towns like Roxby Downs and Woomera are also on their traditional country.

Their lands stretch west to Ooldea and north to the Stuart Range. The eastern border is near Lake Torrens, and the western border reaches the Gawler Ranges.

Neighboring Aboriginal Groups

The Kokatha people share borders with several other Aboriginal groups. These include:

• The Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara to the north.
• The Antakirinja, Arabana, and Kuyani to the east.
• The Barngarla to the southeast.
• The Wirangu to the south.
• The Mirning to the southwest.
• The Ngalia to the west.

Kokatha History and European Contact

Before the 1850s, the Kokatha people were moving towards the southeast. This was around the time when European settlers started arriving in their area.

Around 1917, the Kokatha people moved away from the Ooldea area. This happened because the Yankuntjatjarra people were moving into that region from the north.

Native Title Rights

Native title is a special legal right. It recognizes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have traditional rights and interests in their land and waters.

The Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation is a group that represents the Kokatha people. They work to protect the native title rights for their community.

Native Title Determinations

As of 2020, there have been three important native title decisions for the Kokatha people in South Australia:

• An agreement was made in 2010 for the Gawler Ranges area. This is called an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA).
• In 2013, a native title claim was approved for a large area. This area includes land near Ceduna and stretches inland from the coast. Another ILUA was agreed for this area in 2014.
• A third native title decision was made in 2014. This covers an area near Roxby Downs and stretches from Lake Torrens almost to Lake Gairdner.

A large part of the RAAF Woomera Range Complex, which is a military testing area, overlaps with the Kokatha native title lands.

Important Cultural Sites

Many places within the Woomera area are very important to the Kokatha people. The sand dunes and trees are sacred. They are connected to their Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories.

One important story is the Seven Sisters creation story. The black oak trees in particular are linked to male Kokatha connections to this story.

When weapons testing happens, the Department of Defence is supposed to protect these sites. However, sometimes debris from testing has been found near these important places.

Ancient Archaeological Sites

There are also many old archaeological sites on Kokatha land. These sites show where the Kokatha people lived long ago. A report from 2020 describes these important places.

• At Lake Hart North, there are at least 14 stone foundations. Archaeologists think these were either homes or hunting hides.
• At Wild Dog Creek, there are many rock engravings. These carvings were made by chipping away at the rock. They are in the Panaramitee Style and are very old, possibly 10,000 years old.
• Other Aboriginal rock art can be found, including at Lake Hart. Some carvings show footprints that match the Genyornis, a giant bird that died out thousands of years ago.

Experts believe these sites were used by people for many thousands of years, possibly up to 50,000 years ago. These sites can teach us a lot about the history of people in the Australian desert.

Other Names for Kokatha

The Kokatha people have been known by several other names over time:

• Cocotah, Kookata, Cookutta, Kookatha
• Gawler Range tribe
• Geebera
• Gogada
• Gugada
• Kakarrura (meaning "east")
• Keibara (meaning "plain turkeys")
• Kokatja
• Koogatho, Kugurda, Koogurda, Koocatho
• Koranta
• Kotit-ta
• Kukataja
• Kukatha, Kukata, Kokata
• Madutara (a name used by the Antakirinja)
• Maduwonga (a name used by the Arabana)
• Nganitjiddia, Nganitjidi, Nganitjini (meaning "those who sneak and kill by night," used by the Nauo and Barngarla)
• Yallingarra (similar to "east")

Famous Kokatha People

Many Kokatha people have achieved great things. Here are a few notable individuals:

• Patty Mills: A famous Australian basketball player.
• Gavin Wanganeen: An Australian rules footballer and Brownlow medallist.
• Norah Wilson (1901-1971): A community worker who helped many people.
• Frances Rings: A well-known Australian choreographer and dancer.