Nyangumarta People and Country

Who We Are and Where Were From


The Nyangumarta people come from two key regions: Pirra Ngurra (Desert Country) and Jurrar Ngurra (Saltwater Country). Our traditional lands span from Eighty Mile Beach through the pastoral stations of Wallal Downs and Mandora, extending inland. Our Country is predominantly arid-tropical, with desert landscapes and highly variable rainfall.

Our neighbors include the Karajarri to the north and the Nyamal and Ngarla to the west. Over time, many Nyangumarta people moved west and north due to drought, forced removal, migration, and the impacts of European settlement. Despite these changes, strong ties to our Country and Lore remain.

Today, Nyangumarta speakers are spread across the Pilbara and beyond, with many living in Port Hedland, Marble Bar, Bidyadanga, Strelley, and Yandeyarra. .

Nyangumarta Culture


Nyangumarta culture is rooted in Pukarrikarra (The Dreaming), where Ancestral Beings shaped the land, creating the laws and customs that still guide us today. These Beings established a moral code for living and caring for Country, which is passed down through generations. Sacred places across our Country hold the power of these Beings, and the landscape is filled with stories, songs, and rituals. The connection between our language, culture, and land is inseparable, and our responsibility to maintain this Lore is fundamental to who we are as Nyangumarta people.

Contemporary History
Before colonization, Nyangumarta people lived freely across our Country, hunting, gathering, and maintaining cultural connections. European settlement, pastoralism, and later the mining industry disrupted this way of life. Many were moved onto coastal stations or missions like Bidyadanga. The introduction of award wages in the 1960s led to further displacement, with many Nyangumarta people now living across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. Despite these challenges, our connection to Country and community remains strong.