Mirning

Aboriginal Australian people

The Mirning, also known as the Ngandatha, are an Aboriginal Australian people whose traditional lands lay on the coastal region of the Great Australian Bight extending from Western Australia into south-west South Australia.

## Name

[edit]

Mirniŋ was their name for 'man'.[1]

## Language

[edit]

Main article: Mirning language

Mirning was, properly speaking, a language known as Ngandatha, bearing the sense of "What is it?".[1]

## Country

[edit]

The Mirning's traditional lands covered, according to Norman Tindale, roughly 39,000 square miles (100,000 km2) of territory, reaching from Point Culver[a] eastwards across to White Well in South Australia. Their northern limit was generally the ecological line separating them from the beginning of the karst plateau of the Nullarbor Plain, though good rains would see them penetrating further north. In Norman Tindale's estimation their tribal territory encompassed roughly 39,000 square miles (100,000 km2).[1]

## People and history of contact

[edit]

The Mirning were, according to measurements made of old people from a remnant of the tribe in 1939, relatively short in stature and practice rites of circumcision and subincision.[1][b]

The Jirkala-mirning were first contacted by whites in 1872, when their numbers were estimated to be 30, consisting of 11 men, 8 women, 5 adolescents, and 6 children.[3] It was estimated by the first whites who settled in Wonunda-mirnung territory in 1877 that they numbered no more than 80 persons, 15 men, 15 women, 10 adolescents, and some 40 children.[4] Writing in 1931, A. P. Elkin stated: 'The Wanbiri-speaking tribe, referred to as the Yerkla-mining (that is, the men at Yerkla or Irgala) is now extinct.'[5]

## Social organisation

[edit]

The Mirning were organised into groups of which two at least are known.

* Wonunda-mirnung meaning the people of Hampton plateau west of Wonunda, or Eyre's Sand Patch
* Jirkala-mirning meaning the people of Jirkala (modern day Eucla), jirkala referring, according to Tindale,[c] to their habitat, which was a treeless plain where Salsola tragus or buckbush thrived.[1]

For ceremonial rites, involving the tribe's adoption of circumcision and subincision, the Wonunda-mirnung and Jirkala-mirning would gather at Jadjuuna, just south of Cocklebiddy.[1]

Their kinship system has four classes: Būdera (root), Būdū (digger), Kūra (dingo) and Wenŭng (wombat).[6][d]

Alfred William Howitt describes the tribe's marriage system as "very peculiar", in which two classes (Būdera and Kūra) have a privileged position as follows:[6]

Male | Marries | Children are

|
|

(M) Būdera | (F) Kūra | (M) Būdera, (F) Kūra
(F) Wenŭng | (M) and (F) Būdera
(M) Kūra | (F) Būdera | (M) Kūra, (F) Būdera
(F) Būdū | (M) and (F) Kūra
(M) Būdū | (F) Wenŭng | (M) Būdū, (F) Wenŭng
(M) Wenŭng | (F) Būdū | (M) Wenŭng, (F) Būdū

## Heritage damage

[edit]

In December 2022 it was reported that the 30,000 year old artwork lining the Koonalda Cave at Nullarbor, sacred to the Mirning, was severely damaged by vandals who wrote graffiti over part of the surface.[7]

## In film

[edit]

In April 1994 Julian Lennon proposed making a documentary film with the provisional title Eyes of the Soul – Legends of Whales, Dolphins and Tribes, which would have touched on the Mirnung's cultural relationship to whales.[8][9]

A documentary called Whaledreamers – the Gathering, which includes mention of the Mirning, was made in 2006.[10]

## Alternative names

[edit]

* Mining, Meening, Minninng, Mininj
* Ngandatha, Ngandada
* Wanbiri (meaning 'sea coast')
* Warnabirrie
* Wonbil, Wonburi (Kokata exonyms for the Jirkalamirning.)
* Wonunda-meening (wonunda meaning 'low land(ers)' of Eyre/ south of the Hampton cliff scarp clan)
* Wonunda-minung
* Warnabinnie
* Wanmaraing
* Yirkla, Yirkala-Mining, Yerkla-mining
* East Meening/East Mining
* Ikala, Ikula[6]
* Ngadjudjara
* Ngadjuwonga
* Ngadjadjara
* Julbari/Julbara (meaning 'south')
* Ba:duk (meaning 'circumcised/ignorant' for lack of total absorption of rites)[1]

## Some words

[edit]

* mobung (magic)[11]
* doodoo/judoo (wild dog)
* mumma (father) (In the Jirkala-mirning dialect = mummaloo)
* yarkle (mother) (In the Jirkala-mirning dialect = yakaloo)
* wandy-murna (children) (In the Jirkala-mirning dialect = wonderong)[12])[13]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Tindale states 'Port Culver' which appears to be an error or misprint, otherwise unattested, for Matthew Flinders's Point Culver. Tindale's coordinates for the area coincide with those of Point Culver according to the ('Point Culver (32°54'S., 124°42'E.'), and secondly Point Culver is given by W. Graham[2] (NGIA 2004, p. 158)
2. ^ "The Wonunda speak of the tribes to the north of them as Katabungata and Mooroon, which last word means fat or stout, and of those to the west as Kooraradee, or tall. The reason of this, no doubt, is that the country of the Wonunda Meening is little better than a waterless desert, and its inhabitants, in comparison with their neighbours, half-starved, spare in person, low in stature, who use weapons and implements of an inferior sort". (Graham 1886, p. 394)
3. ^ Williams however writes:'Euclsa, I learn, is a corruption of the aboriginal name of a favourite camping-place called Yircla or Yirgella, a term which signifies morning star, the morning star as it rises over the sandhills being a noticeable object, at the spot, as the Blacks say'. (Williams 1886, p. 400)
4. ^ D. E. Roe of Euclas in Fison and Howitt, 1880 (Fison & Howitt 1880, p. 345)

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g Tindale 1974, p. 248.
2. ^ Graham 1886, p. 394.
3. ^ Williams 1886, p. 401.
4. ^ Graham 1886, p. 395.
5. ^ Elkin 1931, p. 62.
6. ^ a b c Howitt 1883, pp. 508–509.
7. ^ Rachwani 2022.
8. ^ Maddox 2007.
9. ^ HJC.
10. ^ Seiler 2012, p. 56.
11. ^ Fison & Howitt 1880, p. 345.
12. ^ Graham 1886, p. 398.
13. ^ Williams 1886, p. 404.

## Sources

[edit]

* "AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia". AIATSIS. 14 May 2024.
* Elkin, A. P. (September 1931). "The Social Organization of South Australian Tribes". Oceania. 2 (1): 44–73\. doi:10.1002/j.1834-4461.1931.tb00022.x. JSTOR 40327353.
* "Eyes of the Soul". heyjules.com.
* Fison, Lorimer; Howitt, Alfred William (1880). Kamilaroi and Kurnai (PDF). Melbourne: G Robinson.
* Graham, W. (1886). "Eyre's Sand Patch: Wonunda Meening Tribe" (PDF). In Curr, Edward Micklethwaite (ed.). The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent. Vol. 1\. Melbourne: J. Ferres. pp. 394–299.
* Howitt, Alfred William (1883). "Notes on the Australian Class Systems". Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 12: 496–512\. doi:10.2307/2841688. JSTOR 2841688.
* Maddox, Lauren (17 April 2007). "Julian Lennon sells stake in Beatles' music". The Houstonian. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014.
* North, West and South Coasts of Australia. ProStar Publications. 2004. ISBN 978-1-577-85655-9.
* Rachwani, Moustafa (21 December 2022). "Ancient Aboriginal rock art destroyed by vandals in 'tragic loss' at sacred SA site". The Guardian.
* Seiler, Elaine (2012). Multi-Dimensional You: Exploring Energetic Evolution. Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN 978-1-457-50629-1.
* "Tindale Tribal Boundaries" (PDF). Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Western Australia. September 2016.
* Tindale, Norman Barnett (1974). "Mirning (WA)". Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits, and Proper Names. Australian National University Press. ISBN 978-0-708-10741-6. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020.
* Williams, W. (1886). "Eucla: Yircla Meening Tribe" (PDF). In Curr, Edward Micklethwaite (ed.). The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent. Vol. 1\. Melbourne: J. Ferres. pp. 400–407.
* Wright, Tony (15 October 2015). "The whale song man, the oil giant and the Great Australian Bight". The Sydney Morning Herald.

* v
* t
* e

Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia

Peoples|

* Amangu
* Arnga
* Bardi
* Badimaya
* Bailgu
* Baiyungu
* Ballardong
* Binigura
* Bunuba
* Buruna
* Djaru
* Duulngari
* Dyiwali
* Gija
* Gooniyandi
* Gugadja
* Ildawongga
* Inawongga
* Inggarda
* Jaburara
* Jabirr Jabirr
* Jadira
* Jawi
* Jukun
* Kalaako
* Kalamaia
* Kambure
* Kaneang
* Karajarri
* Kariera
* Kartudjara
* Keiadjara
* Koara
* Koreng
* Kurajarra
* Kurrama
* Madoitja
* Maduwongga
* Maia
* Malgana
* Malgaru
* Malngin
* Mandara
* Mandi
* Mandjildjara
* Mandjindja
* Mangala
* Mantjintjarra Ngalia
* Mardudunera
* Martu
* Mineng
* Miriwung
* Mirning
* Miwa
* Murunitja
* Nakako
* Nanda
* Nangatadjara
* Nangatara
* Ngaanyatjarra
* Ngaatjatjarra
* Ngadjumaya
* Ngalia
* Ngarinjin
* Ngarla
* Ngarlawangga
* Ngarluma
* Ngolibardu
* Ngombal
* Ngurlu
* Ngurrara
* Niabali
* Nimanburu
* Ninanu
* Njakinjaki
* Njunga
* Nokaan
* Noongar
* Nyamal
* Nyangumarta
* Nyigina
* Nyulnyul
* Panyjima
* Perrakee?
* Pibelmen
* Pindiini
* Pindjarup
* Pini
* Pintupi
* Pitjantjatjara
* Putidjara
* Spinifex
* Tedei
* Tenma
* Thalandji
* Tharrkari
* Tjalkadjara
* Tjeraridjal
* Tjurabalan
* Tjuroro
* Umiida
* Unggarranggu
* Unggumi
* Waljen
* Walmadjari
* Wardal
* Wariangga
* Warrwa
* Watjarri
* Wangai
* Wanman
* Wenamba
* Whadjuk
* Widi
* Wiilman
* Wilawila
* Wirdinya
* Wirngir
* Worrorra
* Wudjari
* Wunambal
* Wurla
* Yamatji
* Yawijibaya
* Yawuru
* Yeidji
* Yindjibarndi
* Yingkarta
* Yinikutira
* Yued

History|

* Flying Foam massacre
* Forrest River massacre
* Pinjarra massacre

By state or territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

* v
* t
* e

Aboriginal peoples of South Australia

Peoples|

* Adnyamathanha
* Antakirinja
* Arabana
* Barngarla
* Bodaruwitj
* Bungandidj
* Dhirari
* Dieri
* Jarildekald, (including the Mulbarapa)
* Karangura
* Kaurna
* Kokatha
* Kuyani
* Malyangapa
* Maralinga Tjarutja
* Mardidjali
* Meintangk
* Mirning
* Narungga
* Nauo
* Ngaanyatjarra
* Ngadjuri
* Ngayawang
* Ngalia
* Ngameni
* Ngangaruku
* Ngaralda
* Ngarkat
* Ngarrindjeri
* Ngawadj
* Ngintait
* Ngurunta
* Nukunu
* Peramangk
* Pilatapa
* Pitjantjatjara
* Portaulun
* Ramindjeri
* Tanganekald
* Thangkaali
* Wailpi
* Warki
* Western Desert people
* Wirangu
* Wongkanguru
* Yandruwandha
* Yankunytjatjara
* Yardliyawara
* Yarluyandi
* Yawarrawarrka
* Yirawirung

Communities|

| APY Lands:|

* Amaṯa
* Iltur
* Indulkana
* Kalka
* Kaltjiti (Fregon)
* Kaṉpi
* Makiri
* Mimili
* Mintabie
* Nyapaṟi
* Pipalyatjara
* Pukatja (Ernabella)
* Umuwa
* Watarru
* Yunyarinyi

|

Other:|

* Akenta (Poonindie)
* Davenport (Umeewarra)
* Gerard
* Koonibba
* Manunka
* Nepabunna
* Oak Valley
* Point Pearce
* Raukkan (Point McLeay)
* Swan Reach
* Yalata

Former:|

* Colebrook
* Killalpaninna
* Ooldea

Notable people|

* Ian Abdulla
* Josie Agius
* Jimmy Baker
* Maringka Baker
* Poltpalingada Booboorowie (Tom Walker)
* Richie Bray
* Jack Buckskin
* Iris Burgoyne
* Peter Burgoyne
* Shaun Burgoyne
* Hector Burton
* Kevin Buzzacott
* Malcolm Cooper
* Vince Copley
* Nyakul Dawson
* Deadly Nannas
* Gladys Elphick
* Stevie Goldsmith
* Adam Goodes
* Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin
* Cecil Graham
* Colin Graham
* Michael Graham
* Ruby Hammond
* Ruby Hunter
* Ivaritji
* Tjungkara Ken
* Kudnarto
* Natascha McNamara
* Patty Mills
* Betty Muffler
* Douglas Nicholls
* Lewis O'Brien
* Lowitja O'Donoghue
* Michael O'Loughlin
* Alitya Rigney
* Frances Rings
* Nura Rupert
* Tauto Sansbury
* Eileen Yaritja Stevens
* Moogy Sumner
* Faith Thomas
* David Unaipon
* James Unaipon
* Gavin Wanganeen
* Natasha Wanganeen
* Ginger Wikilyiri
* Norah Wilson
* Chad Wingard
* Tjayanka Woods

Organisations|

* Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
* Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara
* Aṉangu schools
* Koonibba Football Club
* Kupa Piṯi Kungka Tjuṯa
* Maralinga Tjarutja
* Nunga Court
* Tauondi Aboriginal College
* List of Aboriginal schools

Religion and culture|

* Arkaroo
* Dreamtime (muda, mura-mura, tjukurrpa, etc.)
* Tjilbruke
* Muldjewangk
* Ngiṉṯaka
* Wati-kutjara

Indigenous protected areas:|

* Watarru
* Mount Willoughby

Co-managed protected areas:|

* Dhilba Guuranda-Innes
* Elliot Price Conservation Park
* Gawler Ranges National Park
* Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park (part)
* Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
* Lake Gairdner National Park
* Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park
* Innamincka Regional Reserve
* Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park
* Mamungari Conservation Park
* Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park
* Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area
* Nullarbor Regional Reserve
* Pureba Conservation Park
* Strzelecki Regional Reserve
* Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
* Wapma Thura–Southern Flinders Ranges National Park
* Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park
* Witjira National Park
* Yumbarra Conservation Park

Languages|

* Adnyamathanha
* Antakirinja
* Arabana
* Barngarla
* Dieri
* Kaurna
* Narungga
* Ngadjuri
* Ngamini (Yarluyandi)
* Ngarrindjeri
* Paakantyi
* Wangkangurru
* Western Desert language (dialects: Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara)
* Wirangu
* Yandruwandha
* Yarli (Malyangapa)
* Yuyu

Language groups:|

* Lower Murray languages
* Thura-Yura languages
* Sign languages

Words:|

* Aṉangu (Western Desert language)
* Nunga (Aboriginal English)

Laws|

* Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
* Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1966
* Aboriginal Witnesses Act
* Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981
* Laws concerning Indigenous Australians
* Letters Patent

Cases:|

* List of native title claims in South Australia

History|

* Aboriginal reserve
* Aborigines' Friends' Association
* Aborigines Protection Board
* Australian frontier wars
* Avenue Range Station massacre
* British colonisation of South Australia
* British nuclear tests at Maralinga (Royal Commission)
* Hindmarsh Island Bridge controversy (Royal Commission)
* History of South Australia
* Maria massacre
* Native School
* Protector of Aborigines
* Royal Commission on the Aborigines
* St Francis House
* Stolen Generations (Federal Parliamentary inquiry))
* United Aborigines Mission
* Waterloo Bay massacre

By state or territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template