Ritharrngu facts for kids
The Ritharrngu people are an Aboriginal Australian group. They live in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are part of the larger Yolŋu group of peoples. Their main family groups, called clans, are Wagilak and Manggura. These two clans belong to the Dhuwa side of their society. The Ritharrŋu clan belongs to the Yirritja side.
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Language
The Ritharrŋu language is a type of Yolŋu Matha language. Today, the Ritharrŋu language is changing. It is starting to sound more like the Nunggubuyu and Ŋandi languages.
Country
The Ritharrŋu people live on a large area of land. This land is about 2,200 square miles (5,700 km2) big. It is located east and south of the Arafura Swamp. They also live near the Goyder River and its smaller rivers. Their land also includes the Mitchell Ranges and the Koolatong River areas.
Some Wagilak clans also live in a place called Ŋukurr. This place used to be known as Roper River Mission.
Social Organisation
The Ritharrŋu people have a special way of organizing their society. They are divided into three main clans. Two of these clans belong to the Dhuwa group, and one belongs to the Yirritja group. These groups are called moieties.
Dhuwa Moieties
- 1. Wagilak (also known as Wagelag, Wawilak, Waurilak, Nunydjulpi, Nundjulpi, Nundjulbi)
- 2. Manggura (also known as Manggurra)
Yirritja Moiety
- 3. Ritarngu (also known as Ritharrngu, Ridarngo, Ritaringo, Rittarungo, Ritharingau, Ridarngu, Buranadjini)
Other Names
The Ritharrngu people are also known by other names, including:
- Dhiyakuy
- Dijogoi
- Djikai, Jikai, Tchikai
Notable People
Some well-known Ritharrngu people who live at Ŋukurr include:
- Djambu "Sambo" Burra Burra (born around 1946), a famous artist.
- Amy Jirwulurr Johnson, also an artist and the wife of Djambu Burra Burra.
