Yambina facts for kids
The Yambina were an Aboriginal Australian people who lived in the state of Queensland. Their traditional lands were located inland, west of the city of Mackay.
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Yambina Country and Lands
The Yambina people's traditional country included the area around Logan Creek, which is south of Avon Downs. Their lands stretched east towards the Denham Range and Logan Downs. To the west, their territory reached the area near Elgin Downs. They were also known to be present at a place called Solferino. A researcher named Norman Tindale estimated their land covered about 6,500 square kilometres (2,500 square miles).
Yambina Social Life
The Yambina people had specific rules about marriage, which were studied by Wilson and Murray. These rules divided people into two main groups, called Youngaroo and Wootharoo. These groups helped decide who could marry whom within the community.
Yambina History
Within a few decades after European settlers arrived in Australia, it was estimated that the Yambina population was around 100 people.
Yambina Language
The language spoken by the Yambina people was also called Yambina. It is considered a dialect of the Biri language. Sadly, no one has been recorded speaking the Yambina language since before 1975, meaning it is no longer actively spoken.
Other Names for Yambina
The AUSTLANG lists several other names for the Yambina people:
- Jambina
- Jampa:l
- Jampal
- Muthoburra
- Mutholburra
- Narboo Murre
- Yambeena
Some Yambina Words
Here are a few words from the Yambina language:
- wanday (tame dog)
- marrara or mowara (wild dog)
- yabboo (father)
- younga (nerra) (mother)
- meekooloo (whiteman)
