Madjandji facts for kids
The Madjandji people, also known as the Majañji, are an Aboriginal Australian group. They traditionally lived in the area south of Cairns in the state of Queensland, Australia.
Contents
The Madjandji Language
The Madjandji people spoke their own language called Madjay. Today, experts consider Madjay to be a dialect of the Yidiny language. This means it was a specific version of Yidiny, similar to how different regions might have different ways of speaking the same language.
Madjandji Homeland and Lifestyle
The Madjandji people were known as rainforest dwellers. They lived in a beautiful, dense rainforest environment.
Their Rainforest Home
Their traditional land was a small area, located north of the mouth of the Russell River. This river is in Queensland. To the west, their land stretched inland towards Babinda. Their northern border was close to Deeral. A famous researcher named Norman Tindale estimated their territory was about 388 square kilometers (150 square miles).
Friends and Neighbors
The Madjandji people had strong connections with the Wanjuru people. The Wanjuru lived to the south of the Madjandji territory. These ties were important for their communities.
Other Names for the Madjandji
Over time, the Madjandji people and their language have been known by several different names. These include:
- Matjai (which was also the name for their language)
- Matjandji
- Madyay
- Majay
- Mooka
