
Alternative Names
Kamilarai, Kamilari, Kamilroi, Kamilarai, Kamu-laroi, Kaamee’larrai, Kamileroi, Koomilroi, Komleroy, Gamilaroi, Gamilroi, Kahmilaharoy, Kamilary, Gumilroi, Gummilroi, Gummilray, Kimilari, Karmil, Kamil ([‘kamil] = no), Comleroy, Ghummilarai, Cammealroy, Kahmilari, Kakmilari (typographical error), Cumilri, Cam-ell-eri, Cum-milroy, Cummeroy, Gunnilaroi, K= no), Comleroy, Ghummilarai, Cammealroy, Kahml Duhai, Yauan (mystic language name), Tjake (mystic language name), Tyake.
Kamilaroi Location
Walgett, N.S.W., to Nindigully, Qld.; near Talwood and Garah; at Moree, Mungindi, Mogil Mogil, Narrabri, Pilliga, Gunnedah, Bingara, Tamworth, Quirindi, Bundella, Barraba, Gwabegar, and Come-by-Chance; on headwaters of the Hunter River. The grammar and vocabulary published by Hale (1845) ostensibly of this tribe relates to the Geawegal of the lower Hunter River (which see).
Mathews (1904) with a broad-brush type of statement suggested the Kamilaroi language extended to Jerry’s Plains this including about one half of the Geawegal territory and also some Wonnarua country. In his 1917 paper he included Boggabilla, which is well within Bigambul territory, in his Kamilaroi tribe area; perhaps a slip of the pen. Color plates 5, 7 are relevant.
Co-ordinates 140°35’E x 30°15’S
Area 29,000 sq. m. (75,400 sq. km)
Language
Bee Native | Guni |
Bee Queen | Guniinii |
Frill Neck Lizard | Balawagarr |
Fish, Bream, Bony | Baraa |
Kingfisher | Thaathiirr |
Lightning | Muuri |
Koala | Guda |
Kookaburra | Gugurraagaa |
Leaf | Buu, Garril |
Mud | Milimili |
Pademelon Wallaby | Wan.Guy |
Rainbow | Yuluwirri |
Saltbush | Nhingil |
Sing, to | Bawi-li |
String Bag | Gulay |
Yellow Belly Fish | Thagaay |
Pelican | Guliyaali |
Mosquito | Mungin |
Moon | Gilay |
Blue Tongue Lizard | Thalagal |
Long Ago | Yilambu |
Light a Fire | Wii-Ma-Li |
Kiss,to | Ngaay gaya-li |
Halo around the moon | GunguRima |
Frog | Gindjurra |
Aboriginal Doctor | Wrringan |
Earth | Thawun |
Emu | Thinawan |
Creek | Bagaay, Gaawul |
References Breton, 1833; Mitchell, 1838; (not Hale, 1845); Bunce, 1856; Ridley, 1861, 1863, 1875, 1886; Pechey, 1872; Ridley in Fison, 1874; Bridgman in Smyth, 1878; Greenway in Ridley, 1878; Fison and Howitt, 1880; Mueller, 1882; Howitt, 1884, 1885, 1902 (2 papers), 1904, 1908; Fraser, 1882, 1892; Wyndham, 1889; Bucknell, 1896, 1899; W., J. C., 1896; Mathews, 1894 (Gr. 6396), 1895 (Gr. 6475), 1896 (Gr. 6425), 1897 (Gr. 6414, 6426, 6431, 6567), 1898 (Gr. 6400, 6417, 6457, 6468, 6476), 1900 (Gr. 6524), 1902 (Gr. 6487), 1903 (Gr. 6489), 1904 (Gr. 6451), 1906 (Gr. 6542), 1907 (Gr. 6510, 6513), 1908 (Gr. 6460), 1912 (Gr. 6493), 1917 (Gr. 6438); Fawcett, 1898; Bootle, 1899; Greenway, 1901, 1902, 1909-1912; Cameron, 1902; Howitt, 1902, 1904, 1908; Vernon, 1902; Withnell, 1902; Richards, 1903; Mac-Pherson, 1904; Naseby in Howitt, 1904; Parker, 1905; Brown, 1910; Richardson, 1910; Bucknell, 1912; Radcliffe-Brown, 1930; Tindale, 1940; Elkin, 1945; Bemdt, 1947; Worms, 1950; Capell, 1956; Wurm, 1963; Tindale and George, 1971