Mudburra language

Mudburra, also spelt Mudbura, Mudbarra and other variants, and also known as Pinkangama, is an Aboriginal language of Australia.

[2] Furthermore, the areas in which the Mudbura people live are Yingawunarri (Top Springs), Marlinja (Newcastle Waters Station), Kulumindini (Elliott) and Stuart Highway.

[2] The Mudbura language is classified under the family Pama- Nyungan and the subgroup Ngumpin- Yapa.

[2] This separation occurred due to the communication with speakers of other languages or dialects that happened over time.

[2] The Mudbura country was very arid and so the natives had to cover long distances to accommodate food search and other needs.

[4] In 1861 John McDouall Stuart and his party explored for the first time the Barkly Tablelands in search for a path from south to north.

[6] After examining it, it was apparent to him that this tributary was frequently occupied by the Mudbura people and neighbouring communities as a water and food source.

[2] The livestock farming that begun taking place in these areas resulted in significant changes on their environment and resources that had been a part of their lives for more than 10000 years ago.

[2] The Stations, that were managed by Europeans, did not offer equal wages or satisfactory living conditions.

[2] Mudbura people created a type of shelter known as ‘nanji’ that was composed of ‘kurrunyu’ (bark) from ‘karnawuna’, (lancewood; known also as Acacia shirleyi).

[2] A nanji would have a short door opening and inside the height from the ground to the ceiling was enough for an adult to stand upright.

[7] Nowadays, most Mudbura people reside in Elliott, a small area that is located between Darwin and Alice Springs, or in Marlinja.

[2] Prior to the appearance of Europeans, Mudbura speakers were able to speak multiple Aboriginal languages that neighboured their land.

[2] In Mudbura language definite and indefinite articles are not necessary before nouns, only demonstratives such as nginya and yali.

[2] They vary depending on the quantity of people and whether these are the subject or the object of the sentence, however there are no third person bound pronouns.