Gambalang (NT)

Archive Collections / Language Groups / Gambalang (NT)

Location: On the coast between Hawkesbury Point and Junction Bay; inland for about 25 miles (40 km.) to Table Hill and heads of the small rivers to the west. The pronunciation of the name preferred is that of Mrs. J. Doolan who has lived among them from childhood. According to Hamilton they have a tribal type structure with patrilineal moieties. They did not begin to practice circumcision until after European settlement commenced and therefore are shown within the area of noncircumcision indicated on the map.

Co-ordinates: 133°35'E x 12°5'S

Area: 600 sq. m. (1,600 sq. km.)

References: Capell, 1940; Berndt and Berndt, 1964; Hiatt, 1965; Doolan, 1963 pers. comm.; Hamilton, 1970 pers. comm.

Alternative Names: Gunbalang, Gunbulan, Walang.

Inventory Listings

Item AA 338/1/25 - 'Journal of Visit to the Gulf of Carpentaria by Norman B Tindale. 1963.'

Item AA 338/1/37 - 'Norman B. Tindale. Barrinean Journal 1938 and Visit to Palm Island 1963.'

Item AA 338/15/93 - 'Geological Map of the Commonwealth of Australia' (Sheet 2)

Item AA 338/15/99 - 'D.6 - Darwin' (Northern Territory)

Item AA 338/18/04 - Cape Wessel (3098)

Item AA 338/18/08 - Roper River (3110)

Item AA 338/26/64/1-14 - 'Habits and Customs of the Kakadu Tribe, South and East Alligator Rivers, North Australia'