Ngaanyatjarra
 Ngaanyatjarra children, 2006 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| several thousand (less than 1% of the Australian population, more than 1% of the Aboriginal population) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Australia(Northern Territory) | |
| Languages | |
| Ngaanyatjarra language, English, Pitjantjatjarra language, Yankunytjatjara language | |
| Religion | |
| Aboriginal mythology |
Ngaanyatjarra is an Indigenous Australian cultural group in the Western Desert, Central Australia.
Meaning and origin of the name
Ngaanya literally means "this" (that is, the demonstrative pronoun) and -tjarra means "with/having" (the comitative suffix); the compound term means "those that use 'ngaanya' to say 'this'". Some neighbouring dialect groups are the Ngaatjatjarra and the Nyangatjatjarra, who use ngaatja and nyangatja respectively for "this".
Regions
The Ngaanyatjarra people make use of the resources of the following biogeographic regions
- North Western Great Sandy Desert
- Little Sandy Desert
- South East Gascoyne
- Gibson Desert
- Central Great Victoria Desert
- Western Central Ranges
The Western Desert cultural bloc covers about 600 000 square kilometres with diverse cultures, traditions and language groups.
Languages
Most people in the region speak Ngaanyatjarra as a first language, some people may also speak English, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, Noongar and other regional Indigenous languages.
The Ngaanyatjarra refer to themselves as Anangu (people). (see Western Desert Language)
The Ngaanyatjarra people are very proactive in maintaining their own language, using informal teaching[1] and music recording since 1994.[2]
Regional culture
The Ngaanyatjarra region has very diverse regional cultures.[3]
Information
The Ngaanyatjarra lands consists of Wingellina, Blackstone (Papulankutja), Jameson, Warburton, Wanarn, Warakurna, Tjukurla, Kiwirrkura, Tjirrkarli, Patjarr, Kanpa, Cosmo Newberry.
On 29 June 2005 the Ngaanyatjarra lands were the subject of the largest native title determination in Australian history (according to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner for Social Justice[4]) with a Federal Court hearing presided by Justice Black taking place on the lands between Blackstone and Warburton (specifically, 25°53′01″S 127°37′38″E / 25.8835990289°S 127.627352919°E)
See also
References
- ^ Kral, Inge (2008). blogs.usyd.edu.au
- ^ Wilurarra (2009). Wilurarra.com
- ^ Shire of Nganyatjarraku (2010). Shire of Nganyatjarraku website
- ^ http://www.humanrights.gov.au/media_releases/2005/23_05.html
External links
General information on the region:
Arts Organisations Websites:
- Western Desert Mob website
- Wilurarra Creative website
- Warakurna Artists website
- Papulankutja Artists website
- Kayili Artists website
- Tjarlirli Art website
- Tjanpi Desert Weavers website
Media Organisations
Links to Policy Documents: