Umbakumba

Umbakumba is located east of Angurugu near Little Lagoon and Port Langdon on the north east coast of Groote Eylandt. Umbakumba is part of the Anindilyakwa Land Trust.

Population

The population of Umbakumba and its surrounds in 2011 was approximately 441, of whom 414 were Indigenous (94%). In 2011, over half of the Indigenous population (53%) was aged between 20 and 44 years of age.

Language

Anindilyakwa is the language of the communities of Groote Eylandt. Umbakumba also has a number of Yolngu Matha speakers.

Clan Groups

Umbakumba is in the traditional lands of the Warinindilyakwa people. Groote Eylandt’s Indigenous population has 14 clan groups, which make up the two moieties on Groote Eylandt. The Anindilyakwa-speaking clans maintain their traditions and have strong ties with the people in the community of Numbulwar and on Bickerton Island. The traditional owners of Umbakumba are the Mamarika clan.

History

The Anindilyakwa people, hunter-gatherers who believed in mythical reptilian creatures in waterholes, performed ceremonies to appease them. They also believed Yandarrnga, the highest point on the island, came from the mainland, bringing plants and animals. Established in 1938, the Umbakumba community served as a base for trepanning and a service point for Qantas flying boats during World War II. It was run as a mission by the Church Missionary Society until 1966 when it came under Australian government control. It later became part of the East Arnhem Shire Council in 2008. The Groote Eylandt economy underwent a transformation with the discovery of manganese near Angurugu. Royalty payments for mining were agreed upon by the Church Missionary Society and BHP. The Groote Eylandt Mining Company was granted leases in 1964, and manganese ore shipments began in 1966. Today, Groote Eylandt produces over three million tonnes of manganese ore annually. To ensure the island's economic future, the Anindilyakwa people, through the Anindilyakwa Land Council and Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island Enterprises, have ventured into culture-based tourism businesses like the Dugong Beach Resort. Groote Eylandt became Aboriginal freehold land in 1976, and the Groote Eylandt archipelago became an Indigenous Protected Area in 2006.

Local Authority

Each community has its own local authority to facilitate communication and consultation between local government and the East Arnhem region. Click here to find out more about the Umbakumba Local Authority.

Explore the communities

  • If you are interested in learning more about the East Arnhem communities, we encourage you to explore the BushTel website. This website provides information about the remote communities of the Northern Territory, including their people and cultural historical influences. You can also access our interactive map of East Arnhem to view the exact locations of our nine communities and its corresponding services.

  • According to the laws of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory, obtaining a written permit is necessary for entry onto Aboriginal land. If you are considering a visit to the East Arnhem communities, you can apply for a permit here. (Note that this permit is necessary for the 6 mainland communities, excluding those situated on Groote Eylandt). 
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