Gamilaraay people

The Kamilaroi, which are also called Gamilaraay, are a tribe of Aborigines who live between Tamworth and Goondiwindi, west of Narrabri, Walgett and Lightning Ridge in northern New South Wales. In the southwest of Australia, their country of Coonabarabran extends up to the Warrumbungle Ranges of the Warrumbungle National Park.

Colonization

Had the colonization by the Europeans for this people mean that the population in the period 1839-1845 reduced 6500-7000 to 3,000. The Kamilaroi were no longer forced to live free in the wild, but in the settlements of the Europeans. They were originally one of the largest tribes of Aborigines in eastern Australia, the largest was the root of the Wiradjuri. The destruction of the culture and lifestyle of the Kamilaroi set continues as missionaries from the North West in the area of ​​the Kamilaroi invaded from the year 1909. The families of the Kamilaroi saw some for the first time whites and were forced to work for the settlers or were expelled from their ancestral places and taken to reserves. From 1909, the Government of Australia began to build institutions where they brought Aboriginekinder that they took their families. Thus began the period of the Stolen Generation for the Kamilaroi people.

Naming

The name means Gamilaraay have nothing in their language and comes from gamil for nothing and araay for possession. The name of the Aborigine is found in the street name Kamilaroi Highway again and the Kamilaroi ferry was operated by Sydney Ferries Limited 1901-1933. There is another example of the use of that name.

Dreamtime

The Dreamtime of the Kamilaroi refers to Baiame, the Creator of the earth, of all things and beings. Baiame had Birrahgnooloo to the woman who bore him Daramulum. The northern Kamilaroi have strong relations with the Bigambul -people with whom they hold joint ceremonies in the Boobera Lagoon.

The Kamilario practiced a initiation for their 10 year old boys who Bora in order to release them into manhood. This ritual was held in special places and Terry Hie Hie on, the largest Bora - Zeremonienort the Kamilaroi, which lies 60 kilometers from Moree.

In the tradition of the Kamilaroi the Totem is passed through the maternal line and divided, etc., in animals such as snakes, possum, wallaby. The rules are strict, for example, it is not allowed to marry someone who runs the same totem.

Alternate Name

Alternative names of Kamilaroi are: Gomeroi, Gamilaroi, Gumillaroy and Comelroy arising from the European transliteration. Gomeroi also means rising sun. The Kamilaroi are one of the four major aboriginal tribes in Australia.