Tenma people facts for kids

The Tenma people, also known as the Thiin, were an Aboriginal Australian group. They lived in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Tenma people had a rich history and culture, connected deeply to their traditional lands.

Their Language

The Thiin people spoke a language called Mantharta. It was one of four different ways of speaking Mantharta, like different versions of the same song. These different versions are called dialects. The other dialects that were part of this language family were Warriyangka, Djiwarli, and Tharrkari. People speaking these dialects could often understand each other, even with slight differences in words or pronunciation.

Where They Lived

The Tenma were a smaller group who lived in a specific area. Their traditional lands were located around the start of the Henry River. They also lived near the Barlee Range and the Frederick River. A researcher named Norman Tindale studied Aboriginal groups and estimated that the Tenma's traditional land covered about 2,300 square miles (5,957 square kilometers). This land was their home for many generations.

Other Names for the Tenma

Like many groups, the Tenma were known by a few different names. These include:

• Te:n
• Teen