Ngurunta facts for kids
The Ngurunta (also called Runda) were an Indigenous Australian group. They lived in the state of South Australia. Their land was just west of a large salt lake called Lake Frome.
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Their Language
We don't have many records of the Ngurunta language. A small list of their words was written down by Edward Micklethwaite Curr in the late 1800s. However, experts like Luise Hercus and Peter Austin have studied these words. They believe the words are actually from the Paakantyi language. They don't think it's a dialect of the Yarli languages. This means it's still a bit of a mystery what language the Ngurunta truly spoke.
Who Were the Ngurunta?
There are not many old stories or records about the Ngurunta people. Because of this, some people wonder if a group by this exact name truly existed. A researcher named Norman Tindale placed the Ngurunta in a specific area on his maps. He did this based on information from just one person in the 1960s. He also used Edward Curr's old writings, which mentioned the group.
Their Traditional Land
The Ngurunta lived in a tough, sandy area. Their land covered about 6,500 square miles (17,000 km2) (about 16,800 square kilometers). This land stretched from west of the Barrier and Coko Ranges. It went all the way to the eastern edge of Lake Frome. It was north of the Flinders Ranges. The southern border of their land was near Eurinilla Creek. To the north, their land reached around Lake Boolka and Yandama Creek. The Malyangapa people lived to their east.
A Brief History
As European settlers moved into Australia, their presence grew stronger. It is thought that any remaining Ngurunta people may have found safety among the Malyangapa group.
Some Words from Their Language
- tulta. (kangaroo)
- kalli. (tame dog)
Other Names for the Ngurunta
- Runta
- Runda
