Ngarla facts for kids

The Ngarla are an Aboriginal Australian people. They come from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. They have a rich history and culture.

Where the Ngarla People Lived

The Ngarla people traditionally lived in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Their land was along the coast. It stretched west of Port Hedland. It went as far as the mouth of the De Grey River. Their land also went inland towards Yarrie. This area was about 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometers).

How Ngarla Society Was Organised

The Ngarla people had a special way of organising their society. It was called a four-class system. This system helped decide how people related to each other. It also guided who could marry whom.

Here's how the four classes worked:

• A Poorungnoo person would connect with a Parrijari person. Their children would be Kiamoona.
• A Banakoo person would connect with a Kiamoona person. Their children would be Parrijari.
• A Parrijari person would connect with a Poorungnoo person. Their children would be Banakoo.
• A Kiamoona person would connect with a Banakoo person. Their children would be Poorungnoo.

History of Contact with Europeans

European settlers began arriving in Ngarla lands in 1864. In the next two years, a sickness called smallpox (boola) spread. It caused many Ngarla people to become ill. By 1886, there were still several hundred Ngarla people.

Other Names for the Ngarla People

The Ngarla people have been known by several names. These names might be different spellings. Or they might be names given by other Aboriginal groups.

• Nga:la
• Ngala, Ngerla
• Ngurla, Ngirla
• Ngala
• Gnalla
• Ngalana
• Kudjunguru (This name means "coast dwellers" in the Nyamal language.)

Some Ngarla Words

Here are a few words from the Ngarla language:

• yookaroo (wild dog)
• mala, maltha (father)
• wanire, wirnea (mother)
• nurloo (white man)