Location: A grouping of clans (mala) of the Dua moiety living intermingled with Duwala of the Jiritja moiety between Castlereagh Bay, Buckingham River, and the east coast of Arnhem Land, and extending along that coast from Koolatong River to about Port Bradshaw. Warner (1937) arbitrarily introduced the term 'Murngin,' which has a general meaning of 'aggressive people'; also 'shovel-nose spear folk.' He heard the term at the western margin of the area under discussion. For a full account of the special problems of this area see Schebeck (1971). Briefly summarized-in this area tribal organization yields to a grouping of seven linguistic units that the aborigines distinguish on the basis of differences in the demonstrative pronoun 'this.' These seven linguistic groups are divided into many clans shared between two moieties, Jiritja and Dua. In the presently considered Duwal linguistic group there are eight clans, all belonging to the Dua moiety. The following list shows valid alternative and other spellings are in parentheses: 1. Tjambarupingu (Tjambarpoing, Djambarrpuyngu, Djambarpingu, Djambarbwingu, Jambarboinga, Jumbapoingo, Djambarbingo, Djambarbwingo, Djambarpinga, Tchambarupi, Djambarwingu, Gujula, Gwiyula, Ngaladharr, Naladaer, Ngalado). 2. Leiagawumir (Leyagawumirr, Liagaomir, Laigajomir, Laigojomir, Galbanuk, Galwanuk, Galwangug). 3. Leiagalawumir (Leyagalawumirr, Liaalaomir, Laigalawumiri, Laigulawulmiree). 4. Datiwui (Datiwuy). 5. Marangu (Marrangu, Marrakuli, Merango). 6. Marakulu (Marrakulu, Maragulu). 7. Djapu (Djabu, Tjapu, Jabu, Darmaramiri, Dhamalamirr, Maradungimi, Maradanggimiri, Marrathanggimir). 8. Dapuingu (Dhapuyngu, Wurrungguku, Wurungugu). For clans of the Jiritja moiety, see under the heading Duwala, which follows. Although the two dialect group names Duwal and Duwala are very similar, they are clearly differentiated in aboriginal thought and conversation. The term Balamumu is associated with these people when living near Caledon Bay; this name has the meaning of 'sea folk' or 'coast people' and is the one most commonly applied by tribespeople living to the south. I heard it first in 1921. Simmons and Cooke (1969) use a term Malag to embrace the people called Murngin by Warner. There are similar objections to its use.
Co-ordinates: 135°50'E x 12° 40'S
Area: No estimate is possible for the individual linguistic groups but the seven listed together utilize about 5,400 sq. m. (14,000 sq. km.).
References: Tindale, 1925, 1928, 1940; Radcliffe-Brown, 1930, 1951; Warner, 1931, 1932, 1937; Webb, 1933; Capell, 1942; Thomson, 1946, 1955 MS; Robinson, 1956; Balfour, 1958; Hall, 1962; Lockwood, 1962; Berndt, 1965, and pers. comm.; Munn, 1969; Edwards and Guerin, 1969; Simmons and Cooke, 1969; Reed, 1969; Schebeck, 1970; Peterson, 1970 pers. comm.; Jennison, MS.
Alternative Names: Murngin (in part), Wulamba (in part), Balamumu (coastal or sea people of southern tribes), Barlamomo, Barlamumu, Malag (['mala] = sea), Marlark, Arrawiya, Banjarrpuma, Bilamandji Dhurili (term applied chiefly to southern clans), Durilji.