Wanyjirra facts for kids
The Wandjira were an Indigenous Australian group of people. They lived in the Northern Territory of Australia.
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The Wandjira Language
The Wandjira people spoke a language called Wanyjirra. It is part of the Ngumbin languages family. Sadly, very few people speak Wanyjirra today. This means it is a moribund language, close to disappearing.
Experts like Tasaku Tsunoda and Nick Evans studied the Wanyjirra language. Their work helped create a detailed book about it in 2015. Many Wandjira people also spoke Standard Eastern Gurindji. When these groups talked, they often used code-switching. This means they would switch between both languages during a conversation.
Where the Wandjira Lived
Tindale, a famous researcher, estimated the Wandjira's traditional lands. They lived on about 5,300 square miles (13,727 square kilometers) of land. Their country stretched north from Inverway Station. It reached the edge of a plateau near Mount Rose.
To the west, their lands went as far as Kulungulan. This area is close to the border with Western Australia. Eastwards, they lived near Mount Farquharson. Their southern lands reached into rocky sandstone country. They also lived at Munbu, on the upper Negri River.
Wandjira History Today
Today, many Wandjira descendants live in different places. Most live around Inverway Station. Others live near Birrindudu Station. This station is located on the edge of the Tanami Desert.
Other Names for the Wandjira
- Wadshora
- Manu
- Manoo
Some Wandjira Words
- cudibah (meaning: whiteman)
