Ngurelban people facts for kids
The Ngurelban people, also known as the Ngurai-illamwurrung, are an Aboriginal Australian group from the state of Victoria. They have a rich history and culture, deeply connected to their traditional lands.
Contents
Their Language
The Ngurelban people spoke the Ngurelban language. This language was quite similar to the language spoken by the Taungurung people, who were their neighbours to the east.
Their Traditional Lands
The Ngurelban tribal territory covered a large area of land, estimated to be about 3,000 square miles. Their country stretched along the Campaspe River. To the north, their land reached close to Echuca, and to the west, it probably extended to Gunbower.
Their territory also went south of Tatura along the Goulburn River to a place called Old Crossing (near Mitchellstown). It also included areas north of Seymour.
How They Lived: Social Groups
The Ngurelban people were organised into three main social groups, often called clans:
- Pimpandoor: This group lived in the northwest, near Colbinabbin. They were known for keeping some distance from other groups and sometimes had friendly rivalries.
- Ngooraialum: This was a northern clan.
- Paboinboolok: This group lived near Lake Cooper.
Changes Over Time: Contact with Settlers
By the late 1830s, the Ngurelban people started facing big challenges. European settlers, known as squatters, brought many livestock like sheep and cattle onto their traditional lands. These animals grazed on the land, which caused serious problems for the Ngurelban.
In 1839, an Ngurelban man named Moonin Moonin explained the issue. He said that Jumbuck (sheep) and Bulgana (cattle) were eating and destroying the plants that Aboriginal people relied on for food. These included important plants like yams and mirr-n'yong roots, which were vital parts of their diet. The livestock also reduced the amount of game animals available for hunting.
Other Names for the Ngurelban
Over time, the Ngurelban people have been known by several different names. These include:
- Gunn-el-ban
- Gnurellean
- Nouralung-bula
- Nguralung-bula
- Noorillim
- Ngooraialum
- Ngurilim
- Ooraialum (This name came from someone mishearing the original name and dropping the "ng-" sound.)
- Oorilim
- Oorallim
- Woo-ral-lim
- Panyool
- Paboinboolok
- Panpandoor
