Tjalkadjara facts for kids
The Tjalkadjara (also called Tjalkanti) were an Aboriginal Australian group. They lived in the western part of Australia. They were known for their strong connection to their land.
Where They Lived
The Tjalkadjara people lived in a large area. Their traditional lands were northeast of Laverton. This area stretched all the way to Lake Throssell. To the west, their land was near Darlot. To the north, it was around Lake Wells.
A researcher named Norman Tindale estimated their land was about 11,300 square miles (29,267 square kilometers). Many other Aboriginal groups lived near them. The Pini were to their northeast and north. The Ngaanyatjarra were to the northeast. The Mandjindja and Nangatadjara lived to their east-southeast. The Waljen were to their south, and the Kuwarra were to their west.
Important Resources
Water was hard to find in the Tjalkadjara's homeland. They often had to get water from the roots of eucalyptus trees. This shows how clever they were at living in the desert.
They also had a special mine north of Laverton, at a place called Taralguta. This mine was full of bright red ochre. Ochre is a natural clay earth pigment. Other groups really wanted this red ochre. It was a very important item for trading with their neighbors.
Their History
Over time, the Tjalkadjara people faced challenges. Around the late 1800s and early 1900s, they were pushed out of their southern lands. This happened because of pressure from the Nangatadjara people. The Tjalkadjara then moved northwest to the Darlot area.
Other Names for the Tjalkadjara
The Tjalkadjara people were known by several other names, including:
- Tjalkumara
- Tjalkandjara
- Tjalkakari (This name means "come this way")
- Wordako (This was the name of their language)
- Tjalkani
- Djalgani, Djalgandi, Tjalgandi
- Erlistoun tribe
- Dituwonga (This was a name given to them by the Waljen people)
