Thaayorre
By Norman Tindale's reckoning, the Thaayorre (a.k.a. Kuuk Thaayore, Tayore, Koko-Taiyor, Da:jor, Koko-Daiyuri, Kokkotaijari, Kokotaiyari, Koko-yak, Gugujak, Daiyuri or Taiol (Gilbert River pronunciation)) occupied around 3,100 square kilometres from the mouth of the Coleman River, northwards over the Edward River on the southwestern part of the Cape York Peninsula. Their tribal neighbours were the Yir-Yiront to the south and the Kugu Nganhcara to the north.
Although their language belongs to the Paman language group, its specific affiliation has not been established beyond question. However, since it is still being acquired by children and used in daily interaction, it is more robust than many other Indigenous languages. Many speakers are multilingual and competent in Yir-Yiront, Kugu Nganhcara, Pakanha, Uw Olkola, and Wik Mungkan. While there seem to have been several dialects (Kuuk Thaayorre, Kuuk Kirka, Kuuk Thayem, Kuuk Thayunth and Kuuk Thanon), the language seems to have become more uniform as the number of speakers has declined. The Kuuk Yak language may be a dialect of Kuuk Thaayorre or a closely related language
The ready availability of tobacco, sugar, and, particularly steel axes drew the Thaayorre from their lands in the south-east to the Anglican Edward River Mission (now Pormpuraaw). They now divide their time between the township and outstations where they can live a more traditional lifestyle.
Links to add:
Kugu Nganhcara
Paman language group
Pakanha
Uw Olkola
Wik Mungkan
Kuuk Yak
Edward River Mission
Pormpuraaw
