Bailgu (WA)

LocationUpper Fortescue River east of Goodiadarrie Hills; north to the scarp of Chichester Range and to the Nullagine River divide; at Roy Hill and east to the western headwaters of the Oakover and Davis rivers. In late precontact times they were being forced east from the Fortescue Salt Marsh area by pressure from the Pandjima. They are still known to western people as the Mangguldulkara or 'Marsh people.' Former presence of the Bailgu farther west is indicated by their continued possession of a cave store for very large ceremonial boards in the Wodgina Hills at a place called Tambira. Their traditional boundary with the Indjibandi tribe lay at Mandanaladji (Mundanulladje on maps) which is the same place as the Malandjiina of the Indjibandi tribe. The Bailgu are closely related to the Niabali and have now mixed freely with them.
Co-ordinates120°0'E x 22°15'S
Area6,300 sq. m. (16,400 sq. km.)
References'Yabaroo,' 1899; Withnell, 1901, 1903; Clement, 1903; Brown, 1912, 1913; Bates, 1914; Connelly, 1932; Tindale, 1940, 1953 MS, 1966 MS; Worms, 1952 MS, 1954; Brandenstein, 1965 MS; A.I.A.S. report, 1966.
Alternative NamesBailko (valid alternative), Pailgu, Pailgo, Baljgu, Balju, Pal'gu, Bailju, Bailgo, Balgu, Palgu, Balju, Balgoo, Boolgoo, Pulgoe, Mangguldulkara (western name for them), Paljarri (a term in their social organization).
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