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(above) Original caption ‘Australian Aborigine, Monaro District’ c.1890 Henry King 20th century photographer, State Library of Victoria
Ngarigo People
The Aboriginal tribe Ngarigo (or Ngarigu) occupied the Monaro region for 15-20,000 years. It is believed that the Ngarigo Nation consisted of several hundred people.
Lifestyle
They were a nomadic tribe and moved about in family groups of about 20 people. They gathered together for ceremonial occasions. The Ngarigo lived permanently on the Monaro but did travel to other areas for trade and ceremonies.
Read about Monero-Ngarigo Elder Aunty Rachel Mullet's experience of a learning walk from the Monaro Plain to Mallacoota and home again:
"I sat by the fire thinking. Thinking of my people who walked each year to the place where the water rolls over and over and back again. And I think about my own learning walk, the walk that you have shared." Read the Full Story
What places can you identify from the story on a map of NSW?
What was the purpose(s) of the walk?
Describe the importance of the Bogong moth.
Population
John Lambie estimated in 1845 that the Aboriginal population on the entire Monaro, which probably included the south coast areas, to be about 1,382. Other records during the 1840s, and later, describe groups of about 500 being seen regularly. A NSW Census in 1856 showed that there were 166 Aboriginal people in the Cooma district but by 1892 reports state that only two Aborigines were still living on the Monaro.
The journal of the first explorers in 1823 describes the party meeting up with an Aboriginal tribe in the Billilingra area. They told the explorers that the name of the area was ‘Monaroo’. This is the first recording of the name Monaro, which over the years has been spelt in numerous different ways.
Ellen Rykers, Custodians of the Land, (2019)
Alpine Country Ngarigo.pdfThe Ngarigo/Ngarigu Claim
The boundaries of the Ngarigo people is disputed. Watch this video to learn more.
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