Kamilaroi People Print Page

10 Aboriginal totem were handcrafted by local artists in 2012 in remembrance of significant people, dreamtime legend and customs of the Kamilaroi Tribe including the Biamee Spirit, the Red Chief Shield and the Rainbow Serpent. 

The Gunnedah Shire has a proud, rich and vibrant aboriginal heritage and is the traditional land of the Gunn-e-darr people of the Kamilaroi Tribe. The traditional language spoken is known as Gomeroi (or commonly Kamilaroi) with children in the Gunnedah community learning the traditional language today through their Elders and cultural mentoring.

The name Gunnedah originates from the 'Gunn-e-darr' people and is thought to mean the 'Place of White Stones' which refers to the quartz pebbles and outcrops in the area that are visible from the top of Porcupine Lookout, another significant place for the Kamilaroi people.

Gunnedah also has a famous linkage with Cumbo Gunnerah (also known as the Red Kangaroo or Red Chief) who was a clever chief and mighty warrior made infamous in Ion Idriess book 'The Red Chief'. Legend has it that Cumbo Gunnerah, defeated a large opposing aboriginal tribe with only a handful of warriors by leading them in to the 'Wallaby Trap', a natural trap created by the land form and vegetation and used by the Kamilaroi Tribe to hunt wallabies – which can be found at the base of Porcupine Lookout.

Location

Address:	Lloyd Road, Pensioners Hill Reserve, Gunnedah, 2380
State:	NSW
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -30.974722 Long: 150.238889 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Art
Monument Theme:	Culture
Sub-Theme:	Indigenous

Dedication

Approx. Monument Dedication Date:	2012

Source: MA