Titjikala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Titjikala (Maryvale)Northern Territory |
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 Titjikala (Maryvale)
Location in Northern Territory
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| Population | 201 (2011 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 0872 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 367 m (1,204 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Alice Springs | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | MacDonnell Region | ||||||||
| Territory electorate(s) | Namatjira | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Lingiari | ||||||||
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Titjikala, also called Tapatjatjaka, is a community for Aboriginal Australians in the southern part of the Northern Territory in Australia. It used to be known as "Maryvale", named after a nearby cattle station.
In 2011, a count showed that 201 people lived in Titjikala.
Contents
Exploring Titjikala's Location
The traditional owners of the Titjikala area looked after a large piece of land. This land stretched from Horseshoe Bend to Chambers Pillar. It also included the Titjikala community itself. The area then went across to Mount Burrell, Mount Peachy, and Mount Frank.
Titjikala is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Alice Springs. You mainly get there by unsealed roads. This road is the main way to reach the community.
Titjikala in the Simpson Desert
Titjikala is located within the Simpson Desert. This desert covers a large part of the southern Northern Territory. The community is also inside the boundaries of Maryvale Station, which is a place where cattle are raised.
Chambers Pillar is a very special landmark nearby. It is a tall, colorful rock column. This amazing natural feature is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Titjikala.
Understanding Titjikala's Climate
There are no specific weather records kept for Titjikala itself. The closest weather station was in Finke, to the southeast. This station collected weather data from 1932 to 1980.
Weather Patterns in the Region
In Finke, summer temperatures were quite hot. The average highest temperature in January was 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5°F). Winters were milder, with an average high of 19.9 degrees Celsius (67.8°F) in July.
Overnight, temperatures dropped more. The average lowest temperature in January was 22.8 degrees Celsius (73°F). In July, the average low was 5.6 degrees Celsius (42.1°F). The area gets about 188.8 millimeters (7.4 inches) of rain each year.
Who Lives in Titjikala?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics counted 201 people living in Titjikala in 2011. Most of these residents, about 94%, were of Aboriginal background. This number was a little lower than in 2006, when 219 people lived there.
Age Groups in the Community
About 26.1% of the people in Titjikala were under 15 years old. Only 2% were over 65 years old.
Cultural Connections and Languages
The Tapatjatjaka Community shared some interesting facts in 2007. They explained that some families have lived in Titjikala for many generations. Other families came from different areas. However, their children, born in Titjikala, feel connected to the land's "dreaming" stories.
Because of this, Titjikala is now home to several Aboriginal groups. These include the Arrernte people, who are the traditional owners. It is also home to Luritja and Pitjantjatjara people. This shows how different languages and cultures are linked in Indigenous Australian communities.
Languages Spoken in Titjikala
The main traditional languages spoken are Luritja, Arrernte, and Pitjantjatjara. Arrernte is known as the language of the land's original owners. People also speak English, but how well they speak it can vary.
A Look at Titjikala's History
The Tapatjatjaka Community website shares the history of the area. From the 1940s, families began to come to Maryvale Station. They worked there as stockmen, who look after cattle, and as domestic helpers in homes. The station owners gave food to the people who lived and worked on their stations.
Early Settlements and Daily Life
Aboriginal people started settling in the Titjikala area in the 1950s. A mission truck would visit every six weeks. Families continued to work at nearby stations. They worked as stockmen, cameleers (people who look after camels), and domestic staff.
At this time, people lived in traditional shelters called humpies. They got water from a well. Donkeys often pulled wagons to carry water. People also walked or used camels. Children and women spent much of their day collecting water. They would carry it back to their humpies. The community got food from the station, like flour, salt, and meat. They also gathered bush tucker. This included goannas, kangaroos, witchetty grubs, bush tomatoes, and bush bananas.
Developing the Community
In the early 1960s, the community built their own sheds. These were like garages with concrete slabs for floors. Around this time, the station laid pipes from a good water source. Aboriginal people helped with this work. This brought a tap closer to the new buildings. A church was also built in the same style.
The first school for the Titjikala people opened in the 1970s. The community area was originally a 200-hectare (490-acre) piece of land. It was taken from a water reserve and a stock route. This land is part of the Maryvale Station pastoral lease, which was officially recorded in 1978.
Titjikala community gained full ownership of their land in 1987. In 1988, the Northern Territory Government made a plan for Titjikala. This plan set some rules for how the land could be used and developed.
Getting to Titjikala
You can reach Titjikala by road or by air. However, the roads and the airstrip can become unusable. This happens especially during heavy rains.
Community Facilities and Services
Titjikala has an Indigenous art center called Tapatjatjaka Art and Craft. Here, artists create paintings and sculptures to sell.
Past Tourism and Current Services
Gunya Titjikala was a tourist resort that operated here. "Gunya" is another word for a humpy or shelter. The money earned from the resort went to the community. This happened through a special trust account. Gunya Titjikala was unique because it received a private loan to start.
Titjikala has many important services for its residents. There is a general store where people can buy supplies. There is also a school for children. The community has a women's center and an early learning center. An aged care program helps older residents. There is also a laundry, a mechanical workshop, and a basketball court. A health clinic provides medical care. A Centrelink agent helps people with government services.
A primary school is available for children in Titjikala. The Tapatjatjaka Community Government Council manages Titjikala and the surrounding areas. A Lutheran church is also located in Titjikala. The Lutheran Church has had a long connection with the community.
Notable People from Titjikala
- Sally M. Nangala Mulda, an artist, was born in Titjikala.
