Yirrganydji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yirrganydji people |
|
|---|---|
| Aka: Irukandji | |
Wet Tropics BioRegion
|
|
| Language | |
| Language Family: | Pama–Nyungan |
| Language Branch: | Yidinic |
| Language Group: | Djabugay |
| Group Dialect: | Yirrgay |
| Area (approx. 500 km²) | |
| BioRegion: | Wet Tropics |
| Location: | Far North Queensland |
| Coordinates: | 16°45′S 145°40′E / 16.750°S 145.667°E |
| Rivers |
|
| Other Geological: |
|
| Urban Areas: |
|
The Yirrganydji (also known as Irrukandji) are an Indigenous Australian people from Queensland. They are the original caretakers of a narrow strip of coast in Djabugay country. This land stretches north from Cairns to Port Douglas.
Traditionally, the Yirrganydji people lived as fishers. They fished along the coast, near river mouths, and around the islands and seas. Their land included the area between the Barron River and Port Douglas.
Contents
Understanding the Yirrganydji Language
The Irukandji people spoke a language called Yirrgay. This language was one of five dialects in the larger Djabugay language group. Yirrgay was closely related to the Yidiny language. About 53% of their words were similar.
Exploring Yirrganydji Country
According to researcher Norman Tindale, Irukandji country covered about 500 square kilometers (200 square miles). It ran along the narrow coast from Cairns up to the Mowbray River at Port Douglas. Their land also reached about 11 kilometers (7 miles) northwest of Cairns. This included the tidal waters of the Barron River near Redlynch.
Different dialects helped define the boundaries between groups. The Yirrgay dialect was the southernmost of the Djabugay group. To their immediate south were the Yidinji people. Moving north, you would find the Guluy, Ngakali, and then the Djabugay speakers. To the west, from Woree to Mareeba, lived the Bulway-speakers.
A Glimpse into Yirrganydji History
By the late 1800s, the Irukandji people as a distinct group faced many challenges. In 1897, William Parry-Okeden, a Police Commissioner, noted only six "Yettkie" people. This name is now thought to refer to the remaining Irukandji.
The following year, Billy Jagar, a leader of the Irukandji, received a special King plate. This plate named him 'King of Barron'. He received another similar plate in 1906. Billy Jagar passed away in 1930 at age 60. He died in his traditional hut, called a payu, at the northern end of the Cairns Esplanade.
For a time, there was some confusion about the Irukandji people. Some thought the name "irukandji" simply meant "from the north." This led to misunderstandings about their specific identity as a tribe. However, the Yirrganydji people have always maintained their unique heritage and connection to their land.
Yirrganydji People Today
In recent times, the Yirrganydji Aboriginal Tribal Corporation (also known as Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation) has been working to protect their heritage. They believe that any new projects in their traditional lands need their agreement and involvement. This helps ensure their culture and land are respected.
You might have heard of the Irukandji jellyfish. These tiny, powerful jellyfish are actually named after the traditional country of the Irrukandji people!
Other Names for Yirrganydji
- Irakanji, Yirkandji, Yirkanji.
- Yirgay.
- Yettkie. (A name used in 1897, possibly a misreading of Yerrkie.)
- Illagona.
- Wongulli. (A camp name near Cairns' southern city limit in 1974)
- Dungara. (A specific group on the Lower Barron River)
- Tingaree.
- Dungarah.
- Dingal.
