Wimaranga facts for kids
The Wimaranga (also known as the Yuupngati or Nggerikudi) were an Indigenous Australian people. They lived in the western part of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, Australia.
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Who Were the Wimaranga People?
The Wimaranga people are one of the many unique Indigenous groups from Australia. They had their own special ways of life, language, and connection to their land. Learning about them helps us understand the rich history of Australia's First Peoples.
Their Language and Communication
The Wimaranga people spoke the Jupangati language. This was mainly an oral language, meaning it was spoken rather than written down. They also used a form of Australian sign language. In 1900, a researcher named Walter Roth wrote down about 24 examples of their sign language. This shows how they used different ways to communicate with each other.
Where Did They Live?
The Wimaranga people lived on a large area of land, covering about 500 square miles (1,300 km2). This land was located south of the Wenlock River (which used to be called the Batavia River). Their territory stretched along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast. It reached as far as Duyfken Point and included the area around the Pennefather River. This was between Port Musgrave and Albatross Bay. To their south lived another group of people called the Windawinda.
Other Names for the Wimaranga
Over time, different names and spellings have been used to describe the Wimaranga people. This can sometimes be confusing, but it's common when studying different groups. Some of these names refer to the people themselves, while others might refer to their language or specific groups within the larger community.
Here are some of the names you might see:
- Yuupngati, Yupangati, Yupungati
- Yupnget, Yupungatti, Yopngadi
- Nggerikudi, Nggirikudi, Ngerikudi, Niggerikudi
- Ra:kudi
- Angadimi, Angutimi (These names refer to their language)
- Batjana, Mbatyana, Ba:tyana (This name was used for a smaller group or clan living near the lower Wenlock River)
- Wimarangga, Wimaranga (This name referred to a group living near Duifken Point, on the north side of Albatross Bay)
