Aboriginal Tribes and Languages

Australian Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest and longest surviving cultures, that has dated back to at least 40,000 years. Some say it may date back as far as 65,000 years ago.


Language

There has existed over 250 Aboriginal languages in Australia with many dialects spoken. It is a very diverse language! Recently a map showing the geographical region of each different language within Australia was created by David Horton and is based on language data gathered by Aboriginal Studies Press, AIATSIS and Auslig/Sinclair, Knight, Merz, (1996).

Aboriginal English	Jagera/Yuragubul	Narrungga	Warlpiri
Anjumarla	Jaru	Ndjébbana	Wangkatha
Arabana	Jingulu	Ngadjon	Wardaman
Arrernte	Jiwarli	Ngalakan	Warlmanpa
Awabakal	Kala Lagaw Ya	Ngarrindjeri	Warrungu
Ayapathu	Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay	Noongar	Warumungu
Bardi	Kaurna	Ngiyampaa	Wemba
Bunganditj	Kayardild	Nhirrpi	Wiradjuri
Bunuba	Koko-Bera	Nyangumarta	Yaegl
Dalabon	Kriol, pidgins	Paakantyi	Yandrruwandha
Darug	Kuku Yalanji	Pakanh	Yanyuwa
Dyirbal	Kukatja	Palawa Kani	Yindjibarndi
Ganai/Kurnai	Kutthung	Pitjantjatjara	Yolngu
Garawa	Malyangapa	Pitta Pitta	Yorta Yorta
Gooniyandi	Marriammu	Tiwi	Yugambeh
Gumbaynggir	Martuthunira	Tjapukai	Yukulta
Gunggari	Mawng	Oykangand	Yuwaalaraay
Gurindji	Meriam Mir	Wagiman
Guugu Yimithirr	Murrinh-Patha	Wambaya

·       The aborigines lives are distinctly related to the land and being one with the environment. The land is not just the physical rocks, trees, and rivers but rather the land is part of the people spiritually and must be used in harmony and sustainably. The land has its own stories of creation. They were semi-nomadic people living in large groups within their own territories, often referred to as ‘traditional lands’. These lands were defined by the surrounding environmental boundaries, such as rivers or mountains.