Dhanggati language

Dhanggati
Macleay Valley
RegionNew South Wales, Australia
EthnicityDhanggati = Djangadi, ?Ngaku
Extinctmid-1980s[1]
Revival5 in 2006 census[2]
Dialects
  • Dhanggati
  • ? Ngaagu
  • ? Burrgati
Language codes
ISO 639-3dyn
Glottologdyan1250
AIATSIS[2]E6
ELPDhanggati

Dhanggati (Dunghutti, Thangatti), previously known as Dyangadi (Djangadi),[3][2] is the Australian Aboriginal language once spoken by the Djangadi of the Macleay Valley and surrounding high country of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. There is an ongoing program of language-revival. Ngaagu (Ngaku) and Burgadi (Burrgati) were probably dialects. The three together have been called the Macleay Valley language. Shared designated Ceremonial between surrounding tribes ie:Anaiwan, Gumbagerri and including tribes from further West from Armidale to the North at Tenderfield New South Wales and Southern tribes such as the tribes around Nowendoc, S.E New South Wales. Anaiwan Country did trade offs with the surrounding tribes for the use of a Ceremonial site which the 'University of New England' is now located at 'Booloominbah house' (erected 1888) when the then colonial settlement Armidale was becoming an important trade route and penal colony housing a jail at the earliest time of Colonialism and a route further West to the 'Western Plains'. It was also a deterrent to large groups of natives from gathering so their places of the deepest and Spiritual importance was simply replaced by Aboriginal places of "checks and balances" to the White Imperialism ways of "keeping things in check". The site of this important ceremonial place was the "Original Square Dance" ceremony performed by tribal priests. Elders from the past referring to the 'New England' Tablelands as " Being to cold ". The group's surrounding the areas of Armidale merged with coastal tribes and shared in one of many ceremonies. The Dhunghutti Tribal name for the Creator Spirit was 'Woorparow Yo Wa' (pronounced Woo-PA-Ra Yo- Wa) also known as 'Bhiamie'. The ceremonial meaning and purpose of the "Original Square Dance," is not lost to history. The ceremony is set in "high up" Country" close to the sky.

  1. ^ Dhanggati at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c E6 Dhanggati at the Australian Indigenous Languages Database, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
  3. ^ Daingatti has also been given as a name, but may be a different language.