Alyawarre


The Alyawarre, also known as the Iliaura, are an Aboriginal Australian people, or language group, from the Northern Territory. The Alyawarre are made up of roughly 1,200 associated peoples and actively engage in local traditions such as awelye painting.

Country

's estimate in 1974 assigned to the Alyawarre traditional tribal lands extending over some, taking in the Sandover and Bundey rivers, as well as Ooratippra, and Fraser creeks. Notable sites associated with their nomadic world include Mount Swan, northern flank of Harts Range, Plenty River north and west of Ilbala, Jervois Range, Mount Playford and the Elkedra River. They were also present at MacDonald Downs and Huckitta.
The Utopia community, 250 km north east of Alice Springs, and set up in 1927, is partly on Alyawarre land, partly on land of the Anmatyerre.

Language

The Alyawarre people speak a dialect of Upper Arrernte known as Alyawarre.

Social organization

The Alyawarre had a four section marriage system.
C. L. Yallop estimated the Alyawarre community to number 500-600 people in 1969. They were mainly concentrated at Lake Nash, the Georgina River, McDonald Downs, on the Bundey River, and the Warrabri Reserve.

Native title

In 1980 the Alyawarre made a land claim together with the Wakaya. As a result, they were handed back on 22 October 1992.

Alyawarre of note