Kokomini facts for kids

The Kokomini (also called Gugumini) were an Aboriginal Australian group from Queensland, a state in Australia. Some people think the name "Kokomini" might have referred to several connected groups rather than just one.

What Does Their Name Mean?

The name Gugumini (which is another way to say Kokomini) means "good speech" or "clear speech." This tells us something about how they communicated.

Where Did the Kokomini Live?

The Kokomini people lived in an area of about 2,300 square miles (6,000 km²) (about 5,957 square kilometers). This land was along the middle parts of the Palmer and Mitchell rivers. Their traditional lands stretched west to where these two rivers meet. To the east, their territory reached areas like Mount Mulgrave and Palmerville.

One early report said their main camp was at the start of Annie Creek and King River. Another researcher, Ursula McConnel, noted that the Koko-mini and Kokowara people lived in the area between Wulbur and Yurgo.

Kokomini Customs and Traditions

The Kokomini people had many traditional customs. For example, they were known to use a special plant to help with fevers. They would make a drink from the leaves of the Darwin stringybark tree to use as medicine.

A Brief History of Contact with Settlers

In 1874, European settlers began to move into the land where the Kokomini people lived. This led to conflicts because the settlers brought cattle and horses to graze on the land. The Kokomini people sometimes speared these animals, which led to fighting between the two groups.

This conflict continued for many years. Settlers believed the Indigenous Kokomini people had no right to their own land. Many Kokomini people were shot, often as a way to get back at them for the loss of cattle and horses. Edward Palmer, who was a politician in Queensland, ran a cattle station in this area during the 1880s.

Other Names for the Kokomini

The Kokomini people were known by several different names, including:

• Koko-minni
• Koogominny, Kookaminnie, Koogaminny
• Koogobatha, Koogobathy
• Mirkin
• Akunkun, Akoon-koon
• Akoonkool
• Kookawarra (This name was given by the Wakara and meant "poor speakers.")

Some Kokomini Words

Here are a few words from the Kokomini language:

• innar (kangaroo)
• oota (wild dog)
• athee (father)
• among (mother)