Uw Oykangand facts for kids

The Uw Oykangand people, also called the Kwantari, are an Aboriginal Australian group. They live in the southwestern part of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. Their traditional lands are near the Alice River, Crosbie River, and Mitchell River. They also live in the area known as Gulf Country.

Understanding the Uw Oykangand Language

The Uw Oykangand language is part of the Pama-Nyungan language family. It is closely related to the Uw Olkola language. A special thing about Uw Oykangand is how people speak when they need to show respect. For example, when talking to someone related to their mother-in-law, they use different words for nouns and verbs. This shows how important respect is in their culture.

Traditional Lands and Country

The Uw Oykangand people traditionally lived on about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square kilometers) of land. This area includes Galbraith Station and the northern side of the lower Staaten River. Their land stretched inland to Old Koolatah and north to Inkerman and the middle Nassau River.

The land around the Alice, Palmer, and Mitchell rivers was full of life. It had wide savannah plains, tropical forests, and rich wetlands. Before Europeans arrived, this area had many different types of food. It was one of the most populated areas in Australia.

Stories of the Dreamtime

In the Dreamtime, which is a very important part of Aboriginal culture, ancestral beings created the landscape. Their paths met where the Mitchell and Alice rivers join. The Kunjen people believe that 'rainbows' or snake beings shaped the rivers. For example, the Inh-Elar (night pigeon) followed the Ewarr (Rainbow) as it moved through tree roots. Water then flowed out, and when the Rainbow rested, it opened its dillybag and released flying foxes. This is how flying foxes came to be.

Water is often a key part of Aboriginal birth stories. The Uw Oykangand, like other Kunjen groups, believe that certain spots in water courses are where spirit children enter a baby. Each person has a special spot in the water that is their "home." This is where a water spirit gave them life. This place is called an errk elampungk, which means "home place of your image." It is also where the placenta is buried after birth.

A Glimpse into History

The Uw Oykangand people faced big changes when gold was found in their area. This led to the Palmer River Gold Rush in 1873. Many gold miners came, and then cattle stations followed. As the Aboriginal people tried to keep their land and resources, they faced difficult times. Many were pushed westward from their homes.

Missions were set up, like the one at Kowanyama in 1903. Many Aboriginal people, mainly Kunjen, Kokobera, and Yir Yiront, gathered there.

Over time, people have worked to get back hunting and camping rights on their traditional lands. Some of these lands are now national parks, where hunting is not allowed. An elder once spoke to a park ranger about this. The ranger explained the hunting ban, and the elder reminded him that a hundred years ago, Aboriginal people were treated very badly. Now, they are not allowed to hunt wallabies on their own land.

Other Names for Uw Oykangand

• Kuantari, Kundara, Gundara, Goondarra
• Wangara, Wanggara
• Kokowanggara, Kokawangar
• Kokatabul
• Kokodaue, Koko-daua
• Oikand
• Oykangand, Oykayand
• Uw
• Oykangant