Location: Bentinck Island and surrounding reefs; west to Allen Island. The people of this island had the greatest population density known in Australia, namely 1.7 persons per square mile. They remained free from contact with Europeans until 1948. The name Malununda given by an informant at Palm Island is that applied by the Lardiil. Detailed work by me in 1960 and 1963 indicates the preferred name is ['Kaiadilt], although some people say ['Kaiadil]. This name only became known to the Janggal and the Lardiil after white contact when the Bentinck Islanders were settled on Mornington Island. Eight hordes called ['dolnoro], occupied the islands (see detailed map in Tindale, 1962). They practice circumcision and a limited form of subincision but unlike mainland tribes the rites are not secret and women are active participants in the operation. Plate 68 and color plate 3 are relevant.
Co-ordinates: 139°30'E x 17°5'S
Area: 70 sq. m. (180 sq. km.)
References: Tindale, 1940, 1960 MS, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1963 MS, 1967; Capell, 1942; Mackay, 1959; Simmons, Tindale and Birdsell, 1962; Simmons, Graydon and Tindale, 1964; Wurm, 1965.
Alternative Names: Kaiadil, ['Ka:radil(t)] (a modern Lardiil version of name), ['Kaija:dil] (a modern Janggal version), Gajadild, Gaiardilt, Maldanunda (['mala] = ['malda] = sea), Malununde, Malununda (original Lardiil tribe name for Bentinck Island, Maldanunda (original Janggal name for), Marlanunda, Mardunung, Madunun, 'Bentinck Islanders.'