# Butchulla

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Aboriginal Australian people of K'Gari, Queensland

Monument to [Indigenous Australians](/source/Indigenous_Australians) along foreshore at [Pialba, Queensland](/source/Pialba%2C_Queensland)

The **Butchulla**, also written **Butchella**, **Badjala**, **Badjula**, **Badjela**, **Bajellah**, **Badtjala** and **Budjilla**, are an [Aboriginal Australian](/source/Aboriginal_Australian) people of [K'gari](/source/K'gari), [Queensland](/source/Queensland), and a small area of the nearby mainland of southern Queensland.

## Language

The Butchulla spoke [Badjala](/source/Badjala_language), considered to have been a dialect of [Gubbi Gubbi](/source/Gubbi_Gubbi_language),[1] like other K'gari dialects.[2] Their [ethnonym](/source/Ethnonym), variously transcribed as Butchulla, Batjala, Badjala and other variations, has been etymologised as signifying "sea folk", though [Norman Tindale](/source/Norman_Tindale) suggested that the word better lends itself to an analysis as combining *ba* ("no") with the suffix *tjala*, meaning "tongue".[3]

In the 1800s, there were reported to be 19 groups that lived on the island permanently, with the island split into three sections. The people in the northern part of the island (Ngulungbara) were a separate group from the other two and did not want to be associated with the Badjala people, when they were pressed into the same mission. The people of the lower part of the island (Dulingbara) also moved along the coast line to [Noosa](/source/Noosa) area. All three groups – Ngulungbara, Butchulla and Dulingbarra – seem to have spoken dialect variations of Gubbi Gubbi.[4]

The Batjala language was spoken in the [Hervey Bay](/source/Hervey_Bay) region inland towards [Maryborough](/source/Maryborough%2C_Queensland) and Mt Bauple, as well as along the Fraser Coast, including K'gari.[5]

## Country

Traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal peoples around Brisbane and sunshine coast[a]

Butchulla lands were concentrated in the centre of the island of [K'gari](/source/K'gari) (a name which refers to the former Fraser Island as well as surrounding waters and parts of the nearby mainland),[6] and extended over 1,700 square miles (4,400 km2) to the coastal mainland (*[Cooloola](/source/Callitris_columellaris)*)[7] south of [Noosa](/source/Noosa).[3] The Butchulla route to the mainland ran through the lower waters of the [Tinana Creek](/source/Tinana%2C_Queensland) and their territory ran [north](/source/North) to [Pialba](/source/Pialba%2C_Queensland) in [Hervey Bay](/source/Hervey_Bay), and their borders to the west ran parallel to the upper [Mary River](/source/Mary_River_(Queensland)).[3][8] To the southwest of their mainland territory were the [Gubbi Gubbi](/source/Gubbi_Gubbi_people),[8] with the territories of the Butchulla, Gubbi Gubbi and Dulingbara sometimes marked as meeting at [Mount Bauple](/source/Mount_Bauple_National_Park).[9]

Some two decades after the arrival of Europeans, the original population of K'gari was estimated to be in the range of approximately 2,000 people, according to [Archibald Meston](/source/Archibald_Meston),[10] a figure which, if true, would mean that the ecology was sufficiently rich in food resources to sustain one of the densest pre-contact populations of the Australian continent, paralleling only the [Kaiadilt](/source/Kaiadilt) of [Bentinck Island](/source/Bentinck_Island%2C_Queensland).[3]

## Social organisation

K'gari's abundance of fish resources made it rank, with the [Kaiadilt](/source/Kaiadilt) homeland of [Bentinck Island](/source/Bentinck_Island%2C_Queensland), as one of the two most densely populated areas on the Australian continent.[11]

The peoples of [K'gari](/source/K'gari) were generally classified into three distinct units: [Ngulungbara](/source/Ngulungbara), Butchulla and Dulingbara, each composed of several [clan groups](/source/Band_society), and, altogether, making up 19 subgroups.[12] The Ngulungbara were in the northern sector, the Butchulla in the strict sense occupied the middle of the island, while the Dulingbara lay south. The Dulingbara and Ngulungbara claimed a separate, distinct tribal status.[b]

## European contact

Archaeological and radiocarbon studies of a lead weight containing fragments of [Loisels pumice](/source/Pumice) unearthed on the island identify the lead component as of French provenance, and the pumice suggests that the object may have arrived on the beach between 1410 and 1630 C.E., the first date prior to [Ferdinand Magellan](/source/Ferdinand_Magellan)'s [circumnavigation of the world](/source/Magellan's_circumnavigation).[13]

[Matthew Flinders](/source/Matthew_Flinders) was the first white person to land on the island, at Bool Creek on [Sandy Cape](/source/Sandy_Cape) in July 1802 and made short contact with the Ngulungbara horde.[10] In 1836 survivors of the shipwreck of a brig, the [*Stirling Castle*](/source/Stirling_Castle_(1829_brig)) managed to make their way south and landed up on the island. [Eliza Fraser](/source/Eliza_Fraser), the late captain's wife, managed to survive among the local islanders for several weeks.

The island began to be occupied by white people in 1849. At that time, the Indigenous population of the 19 clans was estimated to be around 2,000. Within three decades (1879), their numbers had dropped to around 300–400, a collapse attributed by an informant of the then Chief Commissioner of Brisbane to shootings by the [Australian native police](/source/Australian_native_police), and the effects of [venereal disease](/source/Venereal_disease) and [alcohol](/source/Liquor) introduced by white people.[14]

The main remnant of the Butchella people, regarded as hostile to settlers, was transferred to [Yarrabah](/source/Yarrabah%2C_Queensland) sometime around 1902,[3] and to [Barambah station](/source/Cherbourg%2C_Queensland).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Literature

The Legends of Moonie Jarl was published in 1964 and tells the creation stories of the Butchulla people.[15] To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its publication, it was republished by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation in 2014.[16]

## Native title

In 2014 an Australian Federal Court granted [Native title rights](/source/Native_title_in_Australia) to K'gari to the Butchulla people.[17]

## Alternative names

- *Badjela*

- *Badtala*

- *Badyala*

- *Batyala* ([exonym](/source/Exonym) used by the [Wakawaka](/source/Wakka_Wakka) for the coastal Butchulla)

- *Bidhala* ([Kabikabi](/source/Gubbi_Gubbi_people) exonym for coastal Butchulla)

- *Butchulla*

- *Dulingbara*

- *Ngulungbara*

- *Patyala*

- *Thoorgine* (native [toponym](/source/Toponym) for the island)

Source: [Tindale 1974](#CITEREFTindale1974), p. 165

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** This map is indicative only.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** "New is the suggestion that the Dulingbara, either a separate tribe, a horde of the Kabikabi, or of the Batjala, claimed possession of the southern third of Fraser Island. The Batjala are thus credited as holding only the middle third of the island, but having extensions of their territory onto the mainland at Tinina (or Tinane) Creek with rights northward along the coastal strip to Pialba. From Gaiarbau and other sources it seems clear that the northern end of Fraser Island was held by the Ngulungbara which he regarded as a separate tribe, despite the -bara suffix of the name."([Tindale 1974](#CITEREFTindale1974), p. 125)

### Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDixon2002xxxiv_1-0)** [Dixon 2002](#CITEREFDixon2002), p. xxxiv.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown200026_2-0)** [Brown 2000](#CITEREFBrown2000), p. 26.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974_3-4) [Tindale 1974](#CITEREFTindale1974).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMcConvellGardner2016199–200_4-0)** [McConvell & Gardner 2016](#CITEREFMcConvellGardner2016), pp. 199–200.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESLQ-Butchulla_5-0)** [SLQ-Butchulla](#CITEREFSLQ-Butchulla).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["World Heritage Area renamed K'gari after long campaign by Butchulla people"](https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/93269). *Ministerial Media Statements*. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown200013_8-0)** [Brown 2000](#CITEREFBrown2000), p. 13.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown200024_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown200024_9-1) [Brown 2000](#CITEREFBrown2000), p. 24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown200025_10-0)** [Brown 2000](#CITEREFBrown2000), p. 25.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilliams20023_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilliams20023_11-1) [Williams 2002](#CITEREFWilliams2002), p. 3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETindale1974165_12-0)** [Tindale 1974](#CITEREFTindale1974), p. 165.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECommissioner1887144_13-0)** [Commissioner 1887](#CITEREFCommissioner1887), p. 144.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWardLittleRobertsGulson199928_15-0)** [Ward et al. 1999](#CITEREFWardLittleRobertsGulson1999), p. 28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECommissioner1887144,_146_16-0)** [Commissioner 1887](#CITEREFCommissioner1887), pp. 144, 146.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Locally written indigenous children's book being republished"](https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fraser-coast/locally-written-indigenous-childrens-book-being-republished/news-story/970d88d6449dfe19ed507a307c34933c). Courier Mail. 7 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["ILF proud to republish Australia's first Aboriginal children's book"](https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/ilf-proud-to-republish-australias-first-aboriginal-childrens-book.html.html). Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Retrieved 20 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBuchananKayFord2014_19-0)** [Buchanan, Kay & Ford 2014](#CITEREFBuchananKayFord2014).

## Sources

- Brown, Elaine (2000). [*Cooloola Coast: Noosa to Fraser Island: the Aboriginal and Settlers Histories of a Unique Environment*](https://books.google.com/books?id=itrYMD80OmEC&pg=PA25). [University of Queensland Press](/source/University_of_Queensland_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-702-23129-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-702-23129-2).

- Buchanan, Kallee; Kay, Ross; Ford, Elaine (7 November 2014). ["Fraser Island: Native title rights granted to Indigenous people by Federal Court"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-24/federal-court-rules-on-fraser-island-native-title/5839474). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*.

- ["Butchulla language"](http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/atsi/languages/word-lists/body-parts/butchulla-language). [State Library of Queensland](/source/State_Library_of_Queensland). Retrieved 9 March 2017.

- Commissioner (1887). ["Great Sandy, or Fraser's Island"](https://archive.org/stream/cu31924026093835#page/n157/mode/2up). In [Curr, Edward Micklethwaite](/source/Edward_Micklethwaite_Curr) (ed.). *The Australian race: its origin, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over the continent*. Vol. 3. Melbourne: J. Ferres. pp. 144–149.

- [Dixon, Robert M. W.](/source/Robert_M._W._Dixon) (2002). [*Australian Languages: Their Nature and Development*](https://books.google.com/books?id=MSqIBNJtG0AC&pg=PR33). Vol. 1. [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-47378-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-47378-1).

- McConvell, Patrick; Gardner, Helen (2016). "The unwritten Kamilaroi and Kurnai: unpublished kinship schedules collected by Fison and Howitt". In [Austin, Peter K.](/source/Peter_Austin_(linguist)); Koch, Harold; Simpson, Jane (eds.). [*Language, land & song:Studies in honour of Luise Hercus*](http://www.elpublishing.org/book/language-land-and-song). [Australian National University Press](/source/Australian_National_University_Press). pp. 194–208. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-728-60406-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-728-60406-3).

- [Tindale, Norman Barnett](/source/Norman_Tindale) (1974). [*Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits, and Proper Names*](https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstreams/accca907-ea47-4eb1-8217-aa5d3184e3a0/download). [Australian National University Press](/source/ANU_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-708-10741-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-708-10741-6).

- Ward, W. T.; Little, I. P.; Roberts, G. M.; Gulson, B. L.; O'Leary, B. M.; Price, D. M. (April 1999). "Ancient Lead Weight Found with Loisels Pumice near Hook Point, Fraser Island, Queensland". *[Archaeology in Oceania](/source/Archaeology_in_Oceania)*. **34** (1): 25–30. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/j.1834-4453.1999.tb00423.x](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fj.1834-4453.1999.tb00423.x). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [40387111](https://www.jstor.org/stable/40387111).

- Williams, Fred (2002) [First published 1983]. [*Princess K'Gari's Fraser Island: A History of Fraser Island*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2tqPVekm6vMC&pg=PR13). Jacaranda Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-958-10340-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-958-10340-4).

v t e Indigenous Australian peoples in Queensland Aboriginal Ankamuti Araba Atjinuri Ayabakan Ayapathu Badjiri Bakanambia Barada Barna Baruŋgam Barungguan Bidia Bigambul Bindal Birri Gubba Bidjara (Bulloo River) Bidjara (Warrego River) Biyaygiri Bugulmara Buluwai Butchulla Bwgcolman Dalla Darumbal Djabugay/Tjapukai Djagaraga Djakunda Djankun Djindubari Dyirbal Djiru Ewamin Garrwa Geynyon Gia Giabal Girramay Goeng Goreng goreng Gubbi Gubbi Kutjala/Gudjal Gugu-Badhun/Kokopatun Gugu Rarmul Gulngai Gumakudin Gungganyji/Kongkandji Gunggari/Kunggari Guugu Yimithirr/Kokoimudji Iningai Injilarija Injinoo Ithu Jarowair Julaolinja Jupangati Juru Kaantju Kabalbara Kaiabara Kaiadilt Kairi Kalali Kalibamu Kalkadoon Kambuwal Kangulu Kanolu Karanja Kareldi Karendala Karingbal Karuwali Kaurareg Kawadji Koa Koamu Koinjmal Kokangol Kokobididji Kokobujundji Kokokulunggur Kokomini Kokonyekodi Kokopera Kokowalandja Kokowara Kongabula Kooma Kugu Nganhcara Kukatja Kuku Nyungkal Kuku Yalanji Kulumali Kungadutji Kunggara Kungkalenja Kunja Kutjal Kuungkari Laia Lama Lama Lanima Lardil Lotiga Madjandji Maiawali Maijabi Maikulan Maithakari Malintji Mamu Manbarra Mandandanji Maranganji Marrago Marulta Mayi-Kutuna Mbabaram Mbara Mbewum Mimungkum Mingin/Mingginda Mitaka Miyan Muluridji Muragan Murri Mutumui Ngajanji Ngandangara Ngaro Ngathokudi Ngaun Ngaygungu Nggamadi Nguburinji Ngulungbara Ngundjan Ngurawola Nguri Nyawagyi Nyuwathai Olkola Otati Pakadji Pitapita Pontunj Punthamara Quandamooka Hordes: Ngugi, Nunukul, Goenpul Rakkaia Ringaringa Rungarungawa Tagalag Taribelang Tepiti Thaayorre Thereila Tjongkandji Totj Tulua Turrbal Umpila Umpithamu Undanbi Unduyamo Unjadi Uw Oykangand/Kwantari Waanyi Wadja Wadjabangai Wadjalang Wakabunga Wakaman Wakara Wakka Wakka Walangama Walmbaria Waluwara Wanamara Wangan Wanjuru Warakamai Warrongo Wik Wikampama Wikapatja Wikatinda Wikepa Wikianji Wikmean Wik-Mungkan Wiknatanja Winduwinda Wiri Wongkadjera Wongkumara Woppaburra Wulgurukaba Wulili Wulpura Wuthathi Yadhaykenu Yagalingu Yambina Yanda Yanga Yangga Yanggal Yalarnnga Yetimarala Yetteneru Yidiny Yilba Yiman Yintyingka Yinwum Yirandhali Yirrganydji Yir-Yoront Yugambeh Clans: Gugingin, Wanggeriburra, Kombumerri, Mununjali, Tulgigin Yugara Yuibera Yukulta Yungkurara Yurlayurlanya Torres Strait Islanders Badu Kaurareg‎ Mabuiag Meriam Mua By state or territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Butchulla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butchulla) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butchulla?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.