The Kurrama people, also known as the Puutu Kunti Kurrama people, are an
Aboriginal Australian
Aboriginal Australians are the various indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, excluding the ethnically distinct people of the Torres Strait Islands.
Humans first migrated to Australia 50,000 to 65,000 year ...
people from the
Pilbara
The Pilbara () is a large, dry, sparsely populated regions of Western Australia, region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people; wealth disparity; its ancient landscapes; the prevailing r ...
region of
Western Australia
Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...
.
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and
Pinikura peoples, although of different language groups, are represented by the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation in the administration of their traditional lands.
Language
The
Kurrama language is a member of the
Ngayarta group of the
Pama–Nyungan language family, and is closely related to
Yinjtjiparnti. The language is
endangered
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...
, with only an estimated 10 speakers remaining (2002).
Country
Norman Tindale
Norman Barnett Tindale AO (12 October 1900 – 19 November 1993) was an Australian anthropologist, archaeologist, entomologist and ethnologist. He is best remembered for his work mapping the various tribal groupings of Aboriginal Australians ...
estimated the extent of their lands as covering . Their eastern boundaries were around Mount McCrae, while the southern limits touched the headwaters of Duck Creek and the
upper Hardey River at
Rocklea. The land includes much of the higher
plateau
In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; : plateaus or plateaux), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. ...
s of the
Hamersley Range
The Hamersley Range is a mountainous region of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The range was named on 12 June 1861 by explorer Francis Thomas Gregory after Edward Hamersley, a prominent promoter of his exploration expedition to the ...
in the
Pilbara
The Pilbara () is a large, dry, sparsely populated regions of Western Australia, region in the north of Western Australia. It is known for its Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal people; wealth disparity; its ancient landscapes; the prevailing r ...
region of Western Australia.
Native title
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and
Pinikura, who are two separate but related peoples, lodged a joint claim for recognition for each of their own countries as well as a shared area. Their rights to lands and waters covering around of an area between
Onslow and
Tom Price (though not reaching either place), were recognised on 2 December 2015, in the ''#1 and #2 v State of Western Australia'' decision. The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation is the representative body administering the lands for both peoples.
Social organisation
Kurrama initiation required youths to undergo both
circumcision
Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. T ...
and
subincision
Penile subincision is a form of genital modification or mutilation consisting of a urethrotomy, in which the underside of the penis is incised and the urethra slit open lengthwise, from the urethral opening (meatus) toward the base. The slit can ...
.
Although each group is distinct, the Kurruma and Pinikura peoples observe common
laws
Law is a set of rules that are created and are law enforcement, enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a Socia ...
and customs, and share and protect much of the same land and resources.
Alternative names and spellings
* ''Jawunmara'' (
Yindjibarndi exonym
An endonym (also known as autonym ) is a common, name for a group of people, individual person, geographical place, language, or dialect, meaning that it is used inside a particular group or linguistic community to identify or designate them ...
)
* ''Gurama''
* ''Kerama, Karama, Korama''
* ''Jana:ri''
Juukan Gorge destruction
The Puutu Kunti Kurrama people, in alliance with the
Pinikura in a group abbreviated as PKKP, were distressed by the destruction of a
sacred and heritage site in the form of a cave in
Juukan Gorge
Juukan Gorge is a gorge in the Hamersley Range in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, about from Tom Price, Western Australia, Tom Price. It was named by the daughter of Puutu Kunti Kurrama man Juukan, also known as Tommy Ashburton, who w ...
by mining giant
Rio Tinto in May 2020.
Notes
Citations
Sources
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map
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External links
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{{Authority control
Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia
Pilbara