Ngadjonji LandsLocation of Ngadjonji lands around Malanda in far north Queensland, Australia AntquityAncient history of the Ngadjonji Quest for Food Finding food in the tropical rainforest, plants, animals, eels... Languagea glossary of Ngadjonji wordsTechnology weapons, baskets, fire and trap technology Tree Climbingdemonstration of Ngadjonji method of tree climbing Old Photosthe Ngadjonji continued their traditional culture in the rainforest until the 1930's and keep a contunuous link to the rainforest to this day Old Storiestwo stories from the Elders Ngadjonji TodayNgadjonji culture continues today Acknowledgementsdedicated to "Dulubul" Earth Science Australia Return to the main page of Earth Science Australia - no advertising, no spyware

ngadjonji...shelter

 

  Shelter

  Ngadjonji History of the Rainforest People

  Note: this site contains images of aboriginal people now deceased

                       Shelter 

Photo courtesy Eacham Historical Society

The Ngadjonji moved about from camp to camp within their territory according to where food was plentiful in each season. In their camps they constructed snug rainproof shelters (mija) or repaired ones which were there from their last stay. The photo (above) was taken in Malanda in the 1930's and shows a group of Ngadjonji in front of three well-constructed mija.

Photo courtesy Cairns Historical Society

The early photograph  shows a mija during construction. (For a higher resolution version of this photograph click here) The main frame usually consisted of sturdy lengths of jungganyu bent over and stuck in the ground at each end to form a series of arches. Horizontal crosspieces were then woven between these arches and tied in place with barrga ties. The mija was then thatched with suitable leaves (jungganyu and bibiya were particularly favoured) to form the rain- and wind-proof cover.

The Ngadjonji also made blankets (badugi) from the inner bark of certain fig trees (gabi and magurra) which could be wrapped around the body for warmth on cold winter nights. A strip of bark was cut from the tree, the outer layers removed and the moist supple inner layer beaten out over a broad tree root to soften the fibres and spread out the blanket. The blankets were often decorated with ochre patterns.