Yindjilandji

The Yindjilandji are an indigenous Australian people of the Northern Territory.

Language

The Yindjilandji language is usually grouped as one of the Ngarna languages, and considered a southern variety, and either a dialect of Wagawa if not an independent language.^[1]

Country

In Norman Tindale's guesstimate, the Yindjilandji ranged over roughly 8,200 square miles (21,000 km²) of tribal land. They were a Barkly Tableland people, occupying the area about Buchanan Creek and Ranken River, with a western limits toward Dalmore and Alroy Downs. Eastwards their terrain extended over the border with Queensland close to the headwaters of the Gregory River and Lawn Hill Creek.^[2]

Social organisation

The Yindjilandji are organised into four skin groups (called Galharra):

• Banaga
• Burungu
• Balyirri
• Garimarra

A Banaga man must marry a Burungu woman and all their children are Balyirri. A Burungu man marries a Banaga woman and their children are Garimarra.

On the other side, Garimarra men must marry Balyirri women and their children are Burungu. Balyirri men marry Garimarra women and their children become Banaga.^[3]

Alternative names

• Bularnu
• Dhidhanu^[4]
• Inchalachee, Inchalanchee
• Indjilandji, Indjilindji
• Indjurandji
• Indkilindji (? typo)
• Injilinji
• Intjilatja (Alyawarre exonym)

Source: Tindale 1974, p. 226