Yalarnnga facts for kids
The Yalarnnga people, also called the Jalanga, are one of the many Indigenous Australian groups. They come from the state of Queensland in Australia.
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The Yalarnnga Language
The Yalarnnga people spoke a language also called Yalarnnga. Sadly, this language is now extinct, meaning no one speaks it as their first language anymore. The last person who spoke Yalarnnga as their native language passed away in 1980.
Scientists think Yalarnnga was part of a larger group of languages. It might have been one of two Galgadungic languages. These languages belong to the even bigger Pama–Nyungan language family.
Yalarnnga Traditional Lands
The Yalarnnga people lived on their traditional lands in Queensland. A researcher named Norman Tindale estimated their territory. It covered about 4,200 square miles (10,900 square kilometers).
Their land was around Wills Creek. It stretched south from a place called Duchess. It also went to Fort William. They lived along the Burke and Mort Rivers. Their country was north of Chatsworth. It also included areas like Noranside and Buckingham Downs.
History of Contact with Settlers
White settlers first moved onto the Yalarnnga lands in 1877. At that time, it was thought that about 200 Yalarnnga people lived there.
Other Names for Yalarnnga
The Yalarnnga people were known by a few different names. These names include:
- Yellunga
- Yelina
- Wonganja (This might have been a name for a specific group within the Yalarnnga people.)
Yalarnnga Words
Here are some words from the Yalarnnga language. These words were written down by Yalarnnga authors:
- Kuyungu mungatha: good day
- Karlu / karlo: father
- Mernoo: mother
- Woothane: whiteman
- Kathirr: grass
- Karni: shoulder
- Katyimpa: two
- Kunyu: water
- Karrkuru: yellowbelly (a type of fish)
- Monero: tame dog
