Mandandanji facts for kids

The Mandandanji are an Indigenous Australian people. They come from Queensland, a state in Australia.

Mandandanji Lands

The Mandandanji people lived on a large area of land. It was about 15,400 square miles (40,000 square kilometers). This land included the Maranoa and Balonne rivers, north of St. George. Their land stretched west to places like Bollon and Wallam Creek. To the north, it reached Donnybrook, Orallo, and Yuleba. The eastern edge was near Alton and Glenmorgan. Towns like Mitchell, Roma, and Surat were all part of Mandandanji territory.

How Mandandanji People Lived

The Mandandanji people were organized into different groups called hordes. These were like smaller communities within the larger tribe.

• The Kogai was a group that lived in the northern part of their lands, near the start of Coogoon Creek.

Mandandanji History and Leaders

The Mandandanji people were very strong and worked hard to protect their lands when new settlers arrived. They had a great leader named Bussamarai. Settlers like Gideon Lang described him as one of the smartest Indigenous leaders they knew. He was good at many things: speaking, making agreements, and leading his people.

Bussamarai was also known as Eaglehawk. He created clever ways to defend his people's land. He would gather many warriors and arrange them in a strong line. The sides of the line were thinner, making it hard for horse riders to see and avoid spears. This often made the settlers retreat. If the riders came back, Bussamarai would have his warriors move closer together to form a strong group.

Bussamarai was also able to bring together five other nearby tribes. Because of his leadership, many settler stations had to be left empty. The story of their efforts and how things changed for them has been studied a lot by Patrick Collins.

Over time, the Mandandanji people began to live alongside the Kunggari people. Sometimes, reports even mixed up the two groups. In 1855, a missionary named William Ridley visited the Surat area. He found the local Indigenous people quick to learn and friendly. However, guards were still needed because the area was seen as a bit risky back then.

A Special Performance

During a calm period, Bussamarai gathered about 500 people from his tribe and allied groups near Surat. They put on a very special public performance called a corroboree for the local commissioner and other settlers.

The performance happened at night, under the moonlight. The stage was a clear, open space about 200 yards wide, surrounded by thick trees. About 100 women formed a chorus. They sang and chanted, telling the story of the events being acted out. Bussamarai led them, giving them lines to repeat. The action kept time with the rhythmic thumping of a sack of earth using sticks.

Gideon Lang described the three parts of this amazing performance:

Act One: The Cattle Herd

The first part showed a herd of cattle. The performers were painted to look like cows. They moved like cattle, feeding in the forest and resting in the open field. It was very realistic! Some performers lay down and chewed, others scratched themselves or licked their calves. Some even rubbed their heads together, just like friendly cows.

Act Two: The Hunt

Next, a group of performers acting as hunters appeared. They crept towards the "cattle," being very careful to stay hidden and downwind. They finally got close and "speared" two "cows." The Mandandanji people watching cheered loudly! The "hunters" then pretended to skin, cut up, and carry away the pieces of the "cattle." Every step was shown in great detail.

Act Three: The Mock Battle

The third and final part was a pretend battle between the "hunters" and "stock owners." It started with the sound of horses galloping. Then, performers dressed as white settlers on horseback appeared. They were painted to look like settlers, with "cabbage-tree hats," blue or red shirts, and "moleskin trousers." Their legs were covered with reeds to look like the protective leggings worn in the brigalow scrub.

These "settlers" quickly turned, "fired" their pretend guns, and "drove" the "hunters" back! But the "hunters" soon regrouped, and a fierce "fight" began. The "hunters" spread out their "flanks" (sides) and pushed the "settlers" back. The "settlers" pretended to load their guns, fire, and help each other, showing how well they had watched real settlers.

The Mandandanji people watching groaned when a "hunter" fell. But they cheered loudly when a "settler" "fell"! After much back-and-forth "fighting," the "settlers" were "driven" off the field. The Mandandanji audience cheered wildly. Bussamarai himself became so excited that for a moment, it seemed like the play might turn into a real fight!

Other Names for Mandandanji

• Mundaeinbura
• Mundainbara
• Kogai
• Cogai
• Fishing net people

Some Mandandanji Words

• yabo (father)
• yanga (mother)
• yo (yes)
• urra (no)
• nguran (dingo)
• bilgiñ