Nyulnyul people

See also: Nyulnyul language

The Nyulnyul, also spelt Nyul Nyul, Njolnjol, Nyolnyol and other variants, are an Aboriginal Australian people of the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Traditional lands of Aboriginal tribes around Derby, WA

Derby

Location of Derby in Australia

Country

According to Norman Tindale, the Nyulnyul held sway over some 500 square miles (1,300 km²) of tribal land. They were located on the western side of the Dampier Peninsula. Historically, the pressure of the Nimanburu led to them ceding ground on the King Sound, and by Tindale's time they were present from Cape Borda to Sandy Point, and at Carlyle Head and Goodenough Bay across the peninsula.^[1]

Running clockwise, their northern neighbours were the Bardi people, the Nimanburu lay on their southeastern flank, while the Djaberadjabera were directly south on the adjacent coast.^[2][3]

Language

Main article: Nyulnyul language

The Nyulnyul people spoke the Nyulnyul language.

Social organisation

The Nyulnyul had a four section marriage and descent system.^[4]

Alternative spellings

• Njolnjol^[1]
• Nyolnyol^[1]
• Nyul Nyul^[5]