Maningrida, Northern Territory facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maningrida Northern Territory
Maningrida Location in Northern Territory
Location	500 km (311 mi) east of Darwin 300 km (186 mi) northeast of Jabiru
LGA(s)	West Arnhem Regional Council
Region	Arnhem Land
Territory electorate(s)	Arnhem
Federal Division(s)	Lingiari

Maningrida is an Aboriginal community located in the heart of the Arnhem Land region in Australia's Northern Territory. Its local name in Ndjébanna is Manayingkarírra, and in Kuninjku it is Manawukan.

Maningrida is about 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Darwin. It's also 300 kilometres (186 miles) northeast of Jabiru. The community sits on the North Central Arnhem Land coast, right on the Arafura Sea. It's at the mouth of the Liverpool River.

The Kunibídji (Ndjebbana) people are the traditional owners of this land. Important groups in the town include the West Arnhem Regional Council and the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation. Maningrida Arts & Culture, with its Djómi Museum, is a famous art centre known around the world.

In 2021, the population of Maningrida was 2,518 people.

Maningrida's History and Growth

Early Beginnings and Name

The Kunibídji (Ndjebbana) people have lived on this land for a very long time. They are the traditional owners. The name Maningrida comes from their language. It's an English version of Manayingkarírra. This means "the place where the Dreaming changed shape."

The neighbouring Kuninjku people call it Manawukan. This name refers to a wetland area near Maningrida.

Starting a New Settlement

The town of Maningrida began shortly after World War 2. A man named Syd Kyle-Little had an idea. He wanted to create a trading post to help Aboriginal people stay on their traditional lands. This would stop them from moving to bigger cities like Darwin.

The goal was for Maningrida to be self-sufficient and not need outside help. In 1957, David and Ingrid Drysdale started a new settlement there. Maningrida became the first government-supported settlement in Arnhem Land. Before this, most settlements were run by missions.

Developing the Community

Over time, an airstrip, a school, and a hospital were built in Maningrida. People from many different areas came to live at the settlement. The government wanted to encourage Aboriginal people to live in communities like Maningrida.

The population grew quickly. This led to changes in the community. More non-Indigenous people, called Balanda, also moved in for jobs.

Self-Government and Outstations

In 1976, the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 was passed. This law gave Maningrida and other Aboriginal communities more control over their own lands and lives.

From the 1960s, many people chose to move back to their traditional lands. These smaller communities are called outstations or homelands. This movement led to the creation of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in 1970.

Important Events

On April 24, 2006, a very strong storm called Cyclone Monica passed near Maningrida. It was one of the strongest cyclones to hit Australia. Luckily, the community did not get the full force of the storm. The damage to buildings was not too bad.

In 2015, Maningrida was in the news because of a misunderstanding. Some reports said that "more than 25,000 venomous spiders suddenly descended upon" the town. This was not true. The story came from an article about a nearby floodplain that had a very large number of tarantulas.

Where is Maningrida?

Maningrida is located 500 kilometres (310 miles) east of Darwin. It is also 300 kilometres (186 miles) northeast of Jabiru. The community is on the North Central Arnhem Land coast, by the Arafura Sea. It sits at the mouth of the Liverpool River.

In 2016, Maningrida and its nearby outstations had a population of 2,366 people. This included 309 people living in 30 homelands around Maningrida.

Community Life and Services

Local Government and Support

The West Arnhem Regional Council is in charge of the local government area that includes Maningrida.

The Maningrida Progress Association started in 1968. It helps the community by providing financial support. This support can be for housing, community projects, funerals, and other events.

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation

The Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation was created in 1970. It helps the outstations and the wider community. Many important groups are part of Bawinanga. These include Maningrida Arts and Culture and the Bábbarra Women's Centre.

The corporation also manages a team of Indigenous rangers. These rangers, called Bawinanga Rangers – Land and Sea, look after the land and sea. They also run businesses and community services.

Health and Education

The Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation provides health care for the community. In 2021, this service became fully managed by the community itself.

Maningrida College is the school in Maningrida. It teaches students from primary to secondary levels.

Culture and Languages

Rich Cultural Diversity

The area around Maningrida is very rich in culture. It stretches from Marrkolidjban in the west to Yinangarnduwa (Cape Stewart) in the east.

There is a wide variety of cultural practices here. These include different ceremonies, unique styles of art and design, and diverse music and dance.

Many Languages Spoken

Maningrida might be one of the most multilingual places in the world for its size. People here speak many different Aboriginal languages. These include Ndjébanna, Kuninjku, Kune, Rembarrnga, Dangbon/Dalabon, Nakkara, Gurrgoni, Djinang, Wurlaki, Ganalbingu, Gupapuyngu, Kunbarlang, Gun-nartpa, and Burarra.

Most people in Maningrida can speak at least three of these languages, along with Australian English.

Maningrida Arts & Culture

Maningrida Arts and Culture is also known as Maningrida Art Centre. It is a hub for contemporary artists from Maningrida and the surrounding homelands. Their art is inspired by traditional body art, rock art, and cultural practices.

The Djómi Museum is part of the art centre. It holds a collection of important artworks. These artworks have been collected since the 1970s, with some pieces dating back to the 1940s. The museum also has photographs taken by Axel Poignant in the 1950s.

Hundreds of artists work at the centre. Some are famous internationally, like John Mawurndjul, Owen Yalandja, Crusoe Kurddal, Lena Yarinkura, and Bob Burruwal. The Maningrida Art Centre became part of the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in 1979.

Environment and Wildlife

Important Bird Area

Close to Maningrida is Haul Round Island. This island is known as an Important Bird Area. It has one of the largest seabird breeding colonies in the Northern Territory.

Many seabirds, especially roseate and bridled terns, lay their eggs here. Sometimes, these eggs are collected as a food source by local people.

Climate in Maningrida