Larrakia people facts for kids

Flag of the Larrakia people

The Larrakia people are an important group of Aboriginal Australian people. They live in and around the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. The Larrakia call themselves "Saltwater People" because they have a very special connection to the sea. Their traditional way of life was deeply linked to the ocean. They also traded with nearby groups like the Tiwi, Wadjiginy, and Djerimanga. These groups shared important ceremonies and songlines, and people from different groups often married each other.

Who are the Larrakia?

The Larrakia people were originally known by another name: the Gulumirrgin. This shows their long history and connection to their land.

Larrakia Language

The language spoken by the Larrakia people is called Larrakiya or Gulumirrgin. It is one of the many unique languages found in the Darwin Region. Learning and speaking their language helps keep their culture strong.

Larrakia Country: Their Traditional Lands

The traditional lands of the Larrakia people cover a large area. This includes the modern-day city of Darwin. Their country also stretches to places like Southport, Bynoe Harbour, and the Howard River. It goes from the Finniss River and Fog Bay in the northeast. In the west, it reaches near Gunn Point. Their land also extends south for about 74 kilometres (46 miles). This southern area bordered the lands of other Aboriginal groups.

Ancient Stories of the Larrakia People

The Larrakia people have many ancient stories that explain the world around them. One story tells of a being named Mangarrara. He lived in the sky at a place called Teeladla. Mangarrara created almost everything on Earth. Another being, Nanganburra, lived deep inside the Earth at a place called Abigooga. Nanganburra created the first man, Dowed, and taught him how to have children.

The story also tells how people disobeyed Dowed. Because of this, many people died. When old women refused to eat the geese Dowed provided, he created the first spears. He speared them in the legs. A stranger named Charac then took them to a country called Toopoorānla. Charac refused to return them or their children to Dowed. Their descendants became the Wulwulam people.

Dowed later took a young woman named Abmadam from the Adelaide River. Their children became the Djerimanga people. When Charac died, he turned into a stone by a creek. Touching this stone was said to be deadly. When Abmadam and Dowed died, they also turned into trees along the Adelaide River.

The Larrakia believe that when people die, they go to Nanganburra's land. He judges their lives. If they lived well, they go to the stars to live with Mangarrara. If not, they go to a great fire. Even deeper down is a lake where Madjuitmadjuit, Mangarrara's friend, lives. Madjuitmadjuit controls the ocean tides.

Larrakia History: After European Arrival

In 1880, it was thought that about 500 Larrakia people lived in the area. Sadly, a smallpox sickness from the east had spread about 20 years earlier. This sickness caused many Larrakia people to die.

Changes to Larrakia Life

In 1910, a law called the Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910 was passed. This law gave a government official, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, control over all Aboriginal and "half-caste" children until they turned 18. This meant authorities could move young people to or from Aboriginal reserves, even if their parents or families did not agree.

In 1911, an official named Herbert Basedow came to Darwin. He ordered a study of Aboriginal living conditions. Most Indigenous people in Darwin were Larrakia. They lived in eight camps, with two near the shore. Even though their homes were tidy and people were healthy, officials wanted to move them. They thought the camps were "eyesores" in the town. Basedow resigned from his job after only a month.

Fighting for Land Rights

The Larrakia people have been fighting for their land rights for a long time. In 1972, about 1,000 Larrakia people tried to give a long document to Princess Margaret. They argued that British settlers had taken their land, making them like refugees in their own country.

After a new law, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, was passed in 1976, the Larrakia made a formal land claim in 1979. This claim was for their rights as traditional owners of the land, waters, and islands around the Cox Peninsula. This became one of the longest and hardest land claims in Aboriginal land rights history.

The Northern Territory government fought this claim for about 21 years, spending $20 million. In 2000, a judge decided that only six people from the Tommy Lyons family met the legal test for "traditional Aboriginal owners." However, he recommended that about 600 square kilometres (230 square miles) of land be given back to the Larrakia people. This land would benefit all 1,600 members of the Larrakia community.

In 2006, there was a setback. A court decision denied the Larrakia's native title claim for the Darwin area. The judge said there was not enough proof of a continuous connection to the area through traditional customs and laws. This decision was later upheld by a higher court.

However, in 2016, a big moment happened. The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, officially handed the land back to the Larrakia people. This was a huge step in recognizing their rights.

Larrakia Organisations

The Larrakia people have created several important organisations to support their community and culture.

• The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation started in 1997. It represents the traditional owners of Darwin, the Larrakia. It also provides many services to Aboriginal people in the region. As of December 2021, it had over 740 members. This organisation helps people experiencing homelessness, offers community services, supports arts and culture, does research, and employs Indigenous rangers. It earns almost half its money from its own services and businesses. Its goal is for the Larrakia people to be strong, healthy, and independent. They want Larrakia language, law, and culture to be known and respected by everyone in the community.

• The Larrakia Development Corporation was created in 2002. It aims to help all Larrakia people become financially independent. It does this by developing businesses and creating jobs and training opportunities for Larrakia people.

• In 1998, Radio Larrakia began broadcasting on 94.5 FM. This radio station serves the Aboriginal community. It broadcasts in over 26 Indigenous languages, sharing local news, interviews, community information, music, and other programs.

• The Gwalwa Daraniki Association owns the land where the Larrakia Town Camps of Kulaluk and Minmarama Park are located.

Other Ways to Spell Larrakia

Over time, the name Larrakia has been written in different ways. Some of these include:

• Larrakia
• Larakiya, Larakeeyah, Larrakiya, Larrakeah, Larrakeeyah, Larrakiha
• Laragia, Larragea
• Larrakeeha, Larreekeeyah
• Larikia, Larrikia, Larrikiya
• Larriquia
• Binnimiginda. (a term for coastal groups)
• Gunmajerrumba. (a term for inland groups)
• Marri. (a southern group of the Larrakia)

Some Larrakia Words

Here are a few words from the Larrakia language:

• álgan (mother)
• angarak
• arkhngarramilla
• bánnaminngora. (wild dog or dingo)
• b'illinnnga. (small dog)
• dungalaba (crocodile)
• gunumijtanda. (saltwater)
• langootpa. (kangaroo)
• mámorol (large dog)
• nigan (father)
• peppee (father)
• wooding (mother)

Well-Known Larrakia People

Many Larrakia people have become well-known in different fields:

• Raphael Clarke, Australian rules footballer
• Xavier Clarke, Australian rules footballer
• Ash Dargan, didgeridoo player
• Shadeene Evans, footballer
• Daniel Motlop, Australian rules footballer
• Marlon Motlop, Australian rules footballer
• Shannon Motlop, Australian rules footballer
• Steven Motlop, Australian rules footballer
• Mathew Stokes, Australian rules footballer
• Miranda Tapsell, actress