Yaroinga facts for kids
The Yaroinga (also called Yuruwinga) were an Aboriginal Australian group from the Northern Territory. They lived in a large area that stretched into Queensland.
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Where the Yaroinga Lived
The Yaroinga people lived on a big piece of land, which is often called their "country." Researchers like Norman Tindale estimated their country covered about 11,900 square miles (31,000 km2). This land was located across both the Northern Territory and Queensland.
In Queensland, their country included places like Urandangi and Headingly. It reached as far east as Mount Isa. To the north, their land went up to Lake Nash. To the west, they lived near Barkly Downs, Mount Hogarth, and Argadargada. Today, Argadargada is close to the northern edge of Manners Creek Station.
Their Language
The Yaroinga people spoke a language called Ayerrerenge. This language was also known by other names, such as Ayerrereng, Araynepenh, Yuruwinga, and Bularnu. Ayerrerenge was a dialect, or a special version, of the Andegerebinha language. Both of these were part of the larger Upper Arrernte language group. Sadly, the Ayerrerenge language is no longer spoken today.
How They Organized Their Society
The Yaroinga people lived in groups called clans. These clans were like different families or communities within the larger Yaroinga group. Some of the names of these clans have been recorded.
- Manda: This was a southern group, or "horde," that lived near Urandangi.
Other Names for the Yaroinga
Over time, the Yaroinga people and their language were known by several different names. These include:
- Jaroinga
- Yarroinga
- Yaringa (which is also the name of a creek)
- Yorrawinga
- Yarrowin
- Jurangka or Yurangka (a name given by the Iliaura people)
- Manda (also the name of a clan)
- Pulanja, Bulanja, or Bulanu (names for their language)
