Darkinjung people

All you want to know about Darkinjung people

Darkinjung is an Indigenous Australian nation located (-33.4 , 151.3) inland between Sydney and Newcastle in the area known as west of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The Darkinjung have a rich history, some of which can be viewed in rock carvings around the area. The Local Aboriginal Land Council is a major land owner on the Central Coast, participating in formal joint management of some areas of State forest in the region. It represents over 800 local aboriginal residents.

It is spiritually the totem of the sea; its borders extend from the Hawkesberry River to the South, North to Lake McQuarie and West to Wollombi.

The Darkinjung people have been here for over 2500 years. The clan groups are the Narara, Erina,WoyWoy, Patonga, Wyong, Kulnura, Tuggerah and Wolombi. The dialect was Darkinjung. They were hunters and Gatherers within their land. Ceremonies of importance were conducted at Curimbah.

The Darkinjung lives were dictated by the seasons and the seasonal travels throughout their lands from the Mountains during winter to the lakes, wetlands and beaches in summer. Evidence of shell midens along the dunes and bays of the Brisbane Waters and inlets can still be seen today. Darkinjung customs and beliefs are etched into the sandstone.

There are well over 7000 rock art sites and 200 rock art sites. These are one of the most extensive rock art sites in the world.

The Darkinjung believe in the Creator Baiyami (god). There is totem ship with the land and all its creatures including the Sky World and the Sea. This is where the Dreamtime stories evolve. One of the most sacred sites exist at Wollombi called Mt Yengo, here is where the Great Sprit Baiyami descended from the sky world at the time of creation.

Darkinjung tribal neighbors include Garrigal of the North Shore, The Darruk of Sydney, Awabakal of Newcastle, and the Wiradjuri to the Southwest and the Gomilaroi to the North West. All met at Yengo for ceremony and trade.

Kevin Duncan Gomilaroi/Darkinjung