Punthamara facts for kids
The Punthamara were an Aboriginal group of people. They lived in the state of Queensland, Australia. They are an important part of Australia's rich history and culture.
Contents
Where the Punthamara Lived
The Punthamara people lived in a large area of land. A researcher named Norman Tindale said their homelands covered about 3,200 square miles (8,300 km²). This land was along the creeks that flow east of the Grey Range, which is a mountain range.
They lived near Mount Margaret and Congie on the western side of the Grey Range. Their land also reached Tobermorey, which is close to the border of the Northern Territory. Moving north from Orient and Thargomindah, their country came close to the town of Quilpie.
A Look at Their History
In the past, the lands of the Punthamara and other nearby Aboriginal groups were taken over. This was done by people known as "squatters." One famous squatter was Patrick Durack. He took control of these lands.
Durack also hired some members of the Punthamara tribe to work for him. This was a time of big changes for the Punthamara people as outsiders moved onto their traditional lands.
Understanding Their Culture
An early researcher named Robert Hamilton Mathews studied Aboriginal groups. He thought the Punthamara were part of a bigger group he called the "Wonkamurra Nation." He believed this nation also included the Wongkumara, Kalali, Yandruwandha, and Yauraworka peoples.
However, other researchers, like Norman Tindale, were not sure about this idea. They thought that creating these large "nations" might not truly show how the different Aboriginal groups saw themselves.
Other Names for the Punthamara
Over time, the Punthamara people have been known by several different names. These include:
- Bunthomarra
- Buntamara
- Buntamurra
- Banthamurra
- Buntha-burra
- Boonthamurra
- Boontha Murra
A Word from Their Language
We know a few words from the Punthamara language. One example is:
- kuraba - This word means a type of purslane, which is a plant often called pigweed.
