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The Larrakia people are a group of
Aboriginal Australian Aboriginal Australians are the various indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, excluding the ethnically distinct people of the Torres Strait Islands. Humans first migrated to Australia 50,000 to 65,000 year ...
people in and around Darwin in the
Northern Territory The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT; known formally as the Northern Territory of Australia and informally as the Territory) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regi ...
. The Larrakia, who refer to themselves as "Saltwater People", have a vibrant traditional society based on a close relationship with the sea and trade with neighbouring groups such as the Tiwi, Wadjiginy and
Djerimanga The Djerimanga also known as the Wulna are an Indigenous Australian people of the Northern Territory. Country Wulna country consisted of some on the coastal plain where the Adelaide River debouches into the Timor Sea, north to the tip of Cape ...
. These groups share
ceremonies A ceremony (, ) is a unified ritualistic event with a purpose, usually consisting of a number of artistic components, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin, via the Latin . Religious and civil (secular) ceremoni ...
and
songline A songline, also called dreaming track, is one of the paths across the land (or sometimes the sky) within the animist belief systems of the Aboriginal Australians, Aboriginal cultures of Australia. They mark the route followed by localised "crea ...
s, and intermarry.


Name

The Larrakia were originally known as the Gulumirrgin.


Language

Larrakiya/Gulumirrgin is one of the
Darwin Region languages The Darwin Region languages are a language family, family of Australian Aboriginal languages of northern Australia proposed by linguist Mark Harvey. It unites the pair of Limilngan languages with two language isolates:Bowern, Claire. 2011.How Ma ...
.


Country

The traditional land of the Larrakia, in
Norman Tindale Norman Barnett Tindale AO (12 October 1900 – 19 November 1993) was an Australian anthropologist, archaeologist, entomologist and ethnologist. He is best remembered for his work mapping the various tribal groupings of Aboriginal Australians ...
's estimation, covers approximately , and took in the present day capital of Darwin, as well as
Southport Southport is a seaside resort, seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. It lies on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain, West Lancashire coastal plain and the east coast of the Irish Sea, approximately north of ...
, Bynoe Harbour and the Howard River. It extends from the Finniss River and Fog Bay in the northeast to the vicinity of Gunn Point, west of the Adam Bay mouth of the
Adelaide River The Adelaide River is a river in the Northern Territory of Australia. Course and features The river rises in the Litchfield National Park and flows generally northwards to Clarence Strait, joined by eight tributaries including the west branc ...
. Their hinterland extension runs down south to a depth of 46 miles to a point roughly 10 miles north of
Rum Jungle Rum Jungle are an Australian indie rock group from Newcastle, New South Wales. The group released released four EPs before their debut studio album, ''Recency Bias'', was released in February 2025. History Rum Jungle were formed by Benny Mc ...
. This last area forms a border, with an interdiction zone of about 8–10 miles deep.


Mythology

One Larrakia myth, according to one brief white account, spoke of a being, ''Mangarrara'' who lived in the heavens, at a place called ''Teeladla'', and who created everything on earth save blackfellows. A further being, ''Nanganburra'', lived deep in the bowels of the earth at a site called ''Abigooga''. The latter created the first man, ''Dowed'', instructing him how to procreate. In old age his people disobeyed him and in retribution he caused many to die. Old women refused to eat the geese he provided, so he fashioned the first spears and speared them in the legs, and a stranger, ''Charac'', took them to a country called ''Toopoorānla''. He refused to hand them and the children he had by them back when Dowed claimed them, and their descendants formed the
Wulwulam The Wulwulam, also known as the ''Woolwonga,'' were an indigenous Australian people of the Northern Territory. They are reputed to have been almost completely exterminated in the 1880s in reprisal for an incident in which some members of the trib ...
people. Dowed took a young
Adelaide River The Adelaide River is a river in the Northern Territory of Australia. Course and features The river rises in the Litchfield National Park and flows generally northwards to Clarence Strait, joined by eight tributaries including the west branc ...
woman ''Abmadam'', at ''Lingowa'', and their offspring formed the
Djerimanga The Djerimanga also known as the Wulna are an Indigenous Australian people of the Northern Territory. Country Wulna country consisted of some on the coastal plain where the Adelaide River debouches into the Timor Sea, north to the tip of Cape ...
. When Charac died he was transformed into a stone by a creek, touching which was fatal. When Abmadam died, she turned into a tree at ''Laylaloo'', as did Dowed at ''Aleealee'' on the same Adelaide river. On dying the blacks descend to Nanganburra's land, and he judges whether their lives warrant their ascension to the stars, to dwell with Mangarrara. Those who fail the test are dispatched to a great fire at ''Omar''. Still deeper down is a lake called ''Burcoot'' where ''Madjuitmadjuit'', Mangarrara's friend, dwells. His function is to regulate the tides.


History


Postcontact

In 1880 it was estimated by
Paul Foelsche Paul Foelsche (30 March 1831 – 31 January 1914) was a South Australian police officer and photographer born in Germany,Noye, R. J.'Foelsche, Paul Heinrich Matthias (1831–1914)' ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', National Centre ...
that the Larrakia numbered around 500 people: 100 men, 120 women, 150 youths and 130 children. Twenty years earlier a smallpox epidemic from the east is said to have decimated so many members of the tribe that they had to leave the bodies unburied. With the passage of the ''
Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910 The ''Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910'' was an Act of the South Australian parliament (Act no. 1024/1910), assented to on 7 December 1910. The long name of the Act was "An Act to make Provision for the better Protection and Control of th ...
'', the Chief Protector of Aborigines in the Northern Territory was appointed guardian of all Aboriginal and "
half-caste Half-caste is a term used for individuals of Multiracial, multiracial descent. The word ''wikt:caste, caste'' is borrowed from the Portuguese or Spanish word ''casta'', meaning race. Terms such as ''half-caste'', ''caste'', ''quarter-caste'' an ...
" children until their maturity at 18. The authorities were thus empowered to keep in, or remove from, any
Aboriginal reserve An Aboriginal reserve, also called simply reserve, was a government-sanctioned settlement for Aboriginal Australians, created under various state and federal legislation. Along with missions and other institutions, they were used from the 19th ...
, any young person, regardless of their parents' or relatives' wishes. In July 1911, on arriving to take up this position in Darwin,
Herbert Basedow Herbert Basedow (27 October 1881 – 4 June 1933) was an Australian Anthropology, anthropologist, geologist, politician, Exploration, explorer and Medical practice, medical practitioner. Basedow was born in Kent Town, South Australia, Kent Town ...
ordered a survey of Aboriginal conditions in and around the town. The Larrakia were found to be the majority of Indigenous people in the eight camps, occupying in particular two near the shore. The corrugated-hut shanties were tidy and the people in relative good health. The inspectors however reported that removals were in order, to relieve the township of these "eyesores". Basedow resigned after barely a month on duty.


Native title

As early as October 1972 the Larrakia had begun to assert their rights to land through the
1972 Larrakia Petition The 1972 Larrakia Petition, sent by the Larrakia people, who are the traditional owners of the Darwin region in the Northern Territory, to Elizabeth II was a landmark document in the land rights movement in Australia. It was signed by over 1,00 ...
, when 1,000 Larrakia tried to present a petition long to
Princess Margaret Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She was the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II. ...
on the occasion of her visit to Darwin, arguing their land was taken by British settlers, leaving the Larrakia refugees in their own country. After the passage of the
Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act The ''Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976'' (ALRA) is Australian federal government legislation that provides the basis upon which Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory can claim rights to land based on traditi ...
in 1976, the Larrakia presented a formal land claim on 22 March 1979, the first move in what was subsequently described as 'the most complex and hard-fought land claim in the history of Aboriginal land rights.' This Kenbi Land Claim pursued rights, as
traditional owners Native title is the set of rights, recognised by Australian law, held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups or individuals to land that derive from their maintenance of their traditional laws and customs. These Aboriginal title rig ...
, over the land, waters and islands encompassing the Cox Peninsula. The Northern Territory government fought it for some 21 years, at a cost of $20 million. In December 2000, Justice Gray's report rejected the claims of three of the claimant groups, finding only that six people belonging to the Tommy Lyons family fell within the statutory test of 'traditional Aboriginal owners'. He therefore recommended that approximately 600 km2 be handed back to the Larrakia people in a grant to an appropriate Aboriginal Land Trust, whose benefits would accrue to all 1,600 members of the Larrakia community. A setback occurred in April 2006, when a
Federal Court of Australia The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law (with the exception of family law matters), along with some summary (less serious) and indictable (mo ...
decision denied the Larrakia's
native title Aboriginal title is a common law doctrine that the land rights of indigenous peoples to customary tenure persist after the assumption of sovereignty to that land by another colonising state. The requirements of proof for the recognition of ab ...
claim on the basis of "failure to prove continuous connection with the Darwin area". In his reasoning Justice Mansfield argued that there had not been continuous observance of traditional customs and laws. Justice Mansfield's decision was later affirmed on appeal by the Full Federal Court. In 2016, Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954) is an Australian former politician and businessman who served as the 29th prime minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018. He held office as Liberal Party of Australia, leader of the Liberal Party an ...
formally handed the land back to the Larrakia people.


Larrakia organisations

The Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1997 to represent the traditional owners of Darwin, the Larrakia. It is also the major Aboriginal service delivery organisation for the region. Larrakia Nation has a membership of over 740 people. It is active in the areas of homeless support, community services, arts and culture, research, and
Indigenous rangers Indigenous ranger programs enable First Nations people across Australia to protect and manage their land, sea and culture through a combination of traditional knowledge with Western science and conservation practices. Introduced by the Australia ...
. It generates nearly half of its income from fee-for-service and commercial activities. Its vision is "to be a strong, self-sufficient and healthy Nation of Larrakia people, participating fully in the wider economy of Darwin and the Northern Territory, where Larrakia language, law and culture is known, respected and valued by all members of that community". The Larrakia Development Corporation was established in 2002 by Larrakia people with the support of the
Northern Land Council The Northern Land Council (NLC) is a land council representing the Aboriginal peoples of the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia, with its head office in Darwin. While the NLC was established in 1974, its origins began in the strug ...
. The Council holds all shares in the organisation in trust for the Larrakia people. The Larrakia Development Corporation does not have a membership base; instead, its mission is enshrined in the Larrakia Development Corporation Trust deed. Its mission is "to promote the financial independence and lifestyle of all Larrakia people through the commercial development of assets and to do so in such a way that promotes employment, training and business opportunities for all Larrakia people". The Larrakia Trade Training Centre is one initiative of the Larrakia Development CorporationLarrakia Development Corporation Website http://www.larrakia.com.au In 1998
Radio Larrakia First Nations Radio, formerly, Radio Larrakia (call sign: 8KNB), is an Aboriginal Australian community radio station in Darwin, Northern Territory with a broadcast range that reaches Jabiru. The station was established in 1998 by the Larraki ...
, broadcasting on 94.5 FM, was established to serve the Aboriginal community, broadcasting in over 26 Indigenous languages, providing local communities with information, interviews, community services, music and programming. The Gwalwa Daraniki Association owns title to the area of Larrakia land which contains the Town Camps of Kulaluk and Minmarama Park.


Alternative spellings

* ''Larrakia'' * ''Larakiya, Larakeeyah, Larrakiya, Larrakeah, Larrakeeyah, Larrakiha'' * ''Laragia, Larragea'' * ''Larrakeeha, Larreekeeyah'' * ''Larikia, Larrikia, Larrikiya'' * ''Larriquia'' * ''Binnimiginda'' (term for coastal bands) * ''Gunmajerrumba'' (term for inland bands) * ''Marri'' (a southern band of the Larrakia)


Some words

* ''álgan'' (mother) * ''angarak'' * ''arkhngarramilla'' * ''bánnaminngora'' (wild dog (dingo)) * ''b'illinnnga'' (small dog) * ''dungalaba'' (crocodile) * ''gunumijtanda'' (saltwater) * ''langootpa'' (kangaroo) * ''mámorol'' (large dog) * ''nigan'' (father) * ''peppee'' (father) * ''wooding'' (mother)


Notable Larrakia people

* Dolly Gurinyi Batcho, Land Rights activist * Billiamook; interpreter for early colonists * Jase Burgoyne, Australian rules footballer * Raphael Clarke,
Australian rules football Australian football, also called Australian rules football or Aussie rules, or more simply football or footy, is a contact sport played between two teams of 18 players on an Australian rules football playing field, oval field, often a modified ...
er *
Xavier Clarke Xavier Clarke (born 28 September 1983) is a former Australian rules football player who played for St Kilda and Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). Early life Clarke has Indigenous Australian heritage and his ancestry can ...
, Australian rules footballer *
Ash Dargan Ash Dargan is an indigenous Australian didgeridoo player. He is a member of the Larrakia people but did not find out about his aboriginality until he was 21.The West Australian, 22 June 2000, "Competition" by Ara Jansen He teaches and performs al ...
,
didgeridoo The didgeridoo (;()), also spelt didjeridu, among other variants, is a wind instrument, played with vibrating lips to produce a continuous Drone (music), drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing. The didgerido ...
player * Shadeene Evans, Soccer player *
Steven May Steven May (born 10 January 1992) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He served as the co-captain of Gold Coast in the 2017 and 2018 AFL seasons. Early life and J ...
, Australian rules footballer *
Val McGinness Valentine Bynoe McGinness usually known as Val McGinness (14 February 1910 – 1 November 1988) was an Aboriginal rights activist in Australia. He was a Larrakia and Kungarakany man. Life in the Northern Territory McGinness was the son of ...
, Aboriginal rights activist *
Daniel Motlop Daniel Motlop (born 16 March 1982) is a former Australian rules footballer who played a total of 130 senior games for the North Melbourne Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). After leaving t ...
, Australian rules footballer * Jesse Motlop, Australian rules footballer *
Marlon Motlop Marlon Motlop (born 17 April 1990), also professionally known as Marlon (stylised in all caps), is an Indigenous Australian former Australian rules footballer and musician. Motlop played with the Port Adelaide Football Club from 2008 to 2011 i ...
, Australian rules footballer *
Shannon Motlop Shannon Motlop (born 18 August 1978) is an Indigenous Larrakia Australian rules footballer. Primarily playing as a midfielder or small forward, he represented both the Kangaroos and Melbourne in the Australian Football League. He currently pl ...
, Australian rules footballer *
Steven Motlop Steven Motlop (born 12 March 1991) is a former professional Australian rules footballer for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), having previously played for the Geelong Football Club from 2009 to 2017. Earl ...
, Australian rules footballer * Brandan Parfitt, Australian rules footballer *
Mathew Stokes Mathew Stokes (born 22 November 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played with the Geelong Football Club and the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Early life Mathew Stokes grew up in ...
, Australian rules footballer *
Miranda Tapsell Miranda Tapsell (born 11 December 1987) is a Larrakia Aboriginal Australian actress of both stage and screen, best known for her role as Cynthia in the Wayne Blair film '' The Sapphires'' and her 2015 performance as Martha Tennant in the Nine ...
, actress


Notes


Citations


Sources

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


Further reading

* Wells, S. (2002) Saltwater People: Larrakia Stories from Around Darwin, Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation * Day, B. (1994) Bunji: A story of the Gwalwa Daraniki Movement, AIATSIS


External links


Larrakia Development Corporation Pty Ltd

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation
* http://www.drbilldayanthropologist.com
Larrakia Bibliography at Northern Territory Library
* Bibliographies o
publishedrare
o
special
materials on Larrakia language and people, at the
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), established as the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS) in 1964, is an independent Australian Government statutory authority. It is a collecting, ...
{{authority control Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory Darwin, Northern Territory