Winduwinda facts for kids

The Winduwinda were an Indigenous Australian group of people who lived in Queensland, Australia. They are an important part of Australia's rich history and culture.

Who Were the Winduwinda?

The name Winduwinda can be a bit tricky! It can mean one specific group of people, or it can refer to a larger family of about 12 different groups who were all connected. Think of it like a big family name that covers many relatives.

Where Did They Live?

The Winduwinda people lived in a beautiful part of Queensland. Their traditional lands covered about 1,100 square miles (2,850 square kilometers). This area was east of a place called Duyfken Point and stretched over to the Archer River. Their land also went inland to the start of the Embley River.

What Languages Did They Speak?

The Winduwinda people spoke several different languages and dialects. These languages are named after their groups and include:

• Awngthim (also known as Mamangit or Mamangidigh)
• Anguthimri (including Alngith and Linngithigh)
• Ngkoth (sometimes called Nggot)
• Arritinngithigh
• Mpalitjanh

How Were They Organized?

The Winduwinda people had a special way of organizing themselves. It depends on whether you see Winduwinda as one big group with smaller family units, or as several distinct groups that were all related.

One way to look at it is that the Winduwinda had smaller family groups, sometimes called 'hordes'. Two of these specific groups were:

• Mbalidjan
• Ndorndorin

However, there were also about 12 other groups that were strongly connected to the Winduwinda. These groups might have been separate tribes or just larger family units. They include:

• Tanikuit: They lived on the northern side of Albatross Bay.
• Ndruangit: Found on the northern side of the Mission River.
• Ndwangit: Also on the northern side of Mission River.
• Ngawangati: Lived near the lower Mission River.
• Alingit: Their home included Weipa and the area to its east.
• Mamangit: Located on the south side of Albatross Bay.
• Latamngit: Lived on the west bank of the Hay River.
• Nggot: Found on the southern side of the Embley River.
• Aretinget: Their land was around the upper Hay River and across to Pera Head.
• Ndraangit: Lived on the coast near False Pera Head.
• Leningiti: Their area was west of the lower Watson River and also Aurukun.
• Anjingit: Lived on the west coast, just north of the Archer River.

Other Names for the Winduwinda

Sometimes, the Winduwinda people were known by other names, such as:

• Mbalidjan
• Ndorndorin
• Ngwatainggeti
• Wikwija (This name was used by the Wik-Munkan and meant 'bad speech')
• Windawinda