Ritharrngu Explained

The Ritharrngu (Ritharrŋu, Ritharngu) and also known as the Diakui (and variant spellings), are an Aboriginal Australian people of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, of the Yolŋu group of peoples. Their clans are Wagilak and Manggura (of the Dhuwa moiety), and Ritharrŋu (of the Yirritja moiety).

Language

The Ritharrŋu language is a Yolŋu Matha language. In modern times Ritharrŋu has been observed to be undergoing significant structural changes away from Yolŋu, with innovations in its morphosyntaxis through assimilation of features characteristic of Nunggubuyu and Ŋandi.

Country

The Ritharrŋu are estimated to have landed estates extending over approximately 2200mi2 east and south of the Arafura Swamp. They also inhabit the area east of the Goyder River, whose tributaries' headwaters form their southernmost frontier. They also inhabit the area around the Mitchell Ranges and the Koolatong River headwaters.

Wagilak are amongst the clans living at Ŋukurr (formerly Roper River Mission).

Social organisation

The Ritharrŋu are organised into three clans, two pertaining to the Dhuwa moiety and one to the Yirritja moiety of the Yolŋu people.

Dhuwa moieties.

1. Wagilak (Wagelag, Wawilak, Waurilak, Nunydjulpi, Nundjulpi, Nundjulbi)
2. Manggura (Manggurra).

Yirritja moiety.

3. Ritarngu (Ritarungo, Ritharrngu, Ridarngo, Ritaringo, Rittarungo, Ritharingau, Ridarngu, Buranadjini).

Alternative names

Dhiyakuy
Dijogoi
Djikai, Jikai, Tchikai

Source:

Notable people

At Ŋukurr:

Artist Djambu "Sambo" Burra Burra (born c.1946)
Artist Amy Jirwulurr Johnson (wife of Burra Burra)

Notes

Citations

Sources

Web site: Djambu Barra Barra Paintings . Japingka Aboriginal Art Gallery . 19 July 2014 . 20 February 2020 . .
Book: Hall, Vic . Dreamtime Justice . 1962 . Vic Hall (novelist) . Rigby . Adelaide .
Book: Language Contact and Grammatical Change . Heine . Bernd . Kuteva . Tania . 2005 . . 978-0-521-60828-2 .
News: Crossing the divide . Power . Lisa . The Sydney Morning Herald . 30 July 2010 . 20 February 2020 .
Web site: Sambo Burra Burra Artist . personally-selected-aboriginal-art.com . 2010 . 20 February 2020 . .
The Tree Dwellers of the Arafura Swamps: A New Type of Bark Canoe from Central Arnhem Land . Thomson . Donald F. . Donald F. Thomson . . August 1939 . 39 . 121–126 . 10.2307/2793391 . 2793391 .
Natives of Groote Eylandt and the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Part I . Tindale . Norman . Norman Tindale . . 1925 . 3 . 61–102 .
Book: Tindale, Norman Barnett . Diakui (NT) . 1974 . Norman Tindale . Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits, and Proper Names . . http://archives.samuseum.sa.gov.au/tindaletribes/diakui.htm .
Morphology and Functions of the Australian Murngin Type of Kinship . Warner . William Lloyd . William Lloyd Warner . . April 1930 . 32 . 2 . 207–256 . 10.1525/aa.1930.32.2.02a00010 . 661305 .
Morphology and Functions of the Australian Murngin Type of Kinship (Part II) . Warner . William Lloyd . William Lloyd Warner . . April–June 1931 . 33 . 2 . 172–198 . 10.1525/aa.1931.33.2.02a00030 . 660835 .