Kurtjar facts for kids
The Kunggara, also known as Kuritjara, are an Indigenous Australian people. They come from the southern part of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.
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Who Are the Kunggara People?
The Kunggara are one of the many Indigenous Australian groups. They have lived on their traditional lands for thousands of years, passing down their culture and knowledge through generations.
Their Language: Gurdjar
The Kunggara people spoke a language called Gurdjar. This language had two main ways of speaking, known as dialects: Gunggara and Rip.
A researcher named Gavan Breen studied the Gurdjar language. He learned about it by talking to one of the last people who spoke it, Elsie McKillop. This important work helped to record and preserve parts of the language.
Where They Lived: Their Traditional Lands
The traditional lands of the Kunggara people covered a large area. It was about 1,900 square miles (4,900 square kilometers). Their land was mainly around the Staaten River. It stretched south to the Smithburne River and the area known as Delta Downs.
Inland, their territory reached places like Stirling and Lotus Vale. The Kunggara shared borders with other Indigenous groups, including the Maikulan and Maijabi peoples.
Other Names for the Kunggara
Over time, the Kunggara people have been known by several different names. These names include:
- Gilbert River tribe
- Gunggara
- Koonkurri
- Kuri'tjari
- Kutjar
- Ungorri
