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Mandandanji People
Mandandanji people have been involved in the Western district of Queensland, around Roma long before occupation. The oldest dated site on Mandandanji country records dates to 9000 years ago.
Since occupation, Mandandanji people have been employed on stations, at the abattoir, in town, in Government and on the railways across the region.
Mandandanji people have a strong connection with and care for the country. Since 1995 we have been actively and formally involved in the Native Title process.
Mandandanji People
Mandandanji people have been involved in the Western district of Queensland, around Roma long before occupation. The oldest dated site on Mandandanji country records dates to 9000 years ago.
Since occupation, Mandandanji people have been employed on stations, at the abattoir, in town, in Government and on the railways across the region.
Mandandanji people have a strong connection with and care for the country. Since 1995 we have been actively and formally involved in the Native Title process.
Our Language
In literature, Mandandanji is also spelt as Mandandayi, Mundaeinbura or Mundainbara, our language was also known as Kogai. Kogai was the term used historically to describe a cluster of related languages in Western Queensland.
Mandandanji were and are known as the ‘fishing people’ which was a reference to Mitchell’s observation of a group weaving fishing nets for use in the Condamine River.
This is reflected in our logo which shows the Kangaroo, a totem for the people and the fishing net in the background, with the strong indigenous colours of red, gold and black.
Mandandanji Vocabulary
The following represents a selection of Mandandanji words related to the environment of the Condamine River.
Mandandanji Vocabulary
The following represents a selection of Mandandanji words related to the environment of the Condamine River.
ambi
woman
younga
mother
doongo
head
ooh
nose
marda
hand
weealla
bandicoot
diggaree
white cockatoo
ngoorin
emu
malar
boxtree
wuthon
grass
barroo
river
marri
man
yabboo
father
dhaa
mouth
yeera
tooth/teeth
dilli
eye
munda
snake
wanthi
dingo
dangon
gumtree
mindarie
bottle tree
amoo
water
bango
hill
andenoo
child/children
ngaryloo
baby
munga
ear
dinna
foot
weealla
bandicoot
buthun
mosquito
narragoo
kangaroo
dalla
leaf
nonga
currajong tree
nhala
water hole
dandhi
ground/earth
ambi
woman
younga
mother
doongo
head
ooh
nose
marda
hand
weealla
bandicoot
diggaree
white cockatoo
ngoorin
emu
malar
boxtree
wuthon
grass
barroo
river
marri
man
yabboo
father
dhaa
mouth
yeera
tooth/teeth
dilli
eye
munda
snake
wanthi
dingo
dangon
gumtree
mindarie
bottle tree
amoo
water
bango
hill
andenoo
child/children
ngaryloo
baby
munga
ear
dinna
foot
weealla
bandicoot
buthun
mosquito
narragoo
kangaroo
dalla
leaf
nonga
currajong tree
nhala
water hole
dandhi
ground/earth
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Native Title Claim
Mandandanji people have claimed an area across Western Queensland as shown on the map.
On 7th of March 2018 Mandandanji was given a negative determination for Native Title for the area we claim.
Applicants
The people listed here are the former Applicant group that represented Mandandanji in the Native Title claims.
We would like to thank them for all their hard work
- Leslie Weribone
- Neville Munn
- Theresa Manns
- Alex Costa
- Max MacDonald
- Alexandra Combarngo
- Leigh Himstedt
- Jude Saldanha
- Wayne Weribone
- Rodney Landers
- Tracey Landers
- Vincent Anderson
Walkabout Park
MCHS has been working with Maranoa Regional Council to develop the parklands at the Eastern Edge of Roma close to Bungill Creek. The Council refers to these parklands as the ‘Mandandanji Park’. The land is currently zoned as ‘road and water reserve’ and is managed by the Council. Council is formally working with MCHS to excise part of the reserve and change the registration to ‘cultural reserve’. The Department of Natural Resources and Mines will ultimately make the decision to change zoning and custodianship of the parklands.
To date MCHS has built a static display at the parklands, which houses a significant scar tree and an array of artefacts. These are all stored in a boomerang shaped display case. MCHS and members of Mandandanji have considered what other features they would like at the parklands and have developed a concept site plan.
Walkabout ParkMandandanji’s Walkabout Park is located along the Warrego Highway
at the eastern entrance to Roma, Queensland.View ImageOne of the main features of the park is a boomerang shaped structure containing information about the
Mandandanji people and our connection to the local area.View ImageThe park grounds are maintained by members of the Mandandanji communityView ImageWalkabout Park is the location for the annual Dreaming Festival.View ImageYou can download a copy of the plans for the park by clicking the button belowClick Here
Mandandanji hopes to secure funding to develop a toilet block, yarning circle and a building, which will reflect history boards and information on Mandandanji Apical Ancestors, Businesses, Mandandanji service men and insight into Mandandanji arts and culture and interpretation of the landscape of western Queensland.
Dreaming Festival
The Mandandanji Dreaming Festival was established in 2016 and is held every Easter Saturday as part of Roma’s Easter In The Country celebrations.
The Dreaming Festival is a vital part of Mandandanji’s outreach to the wider Roma and district community.
Activities may include face painting, live music, bush tucker and traditional dance workshops as well as taking part in the Easter In The Country parade.
