Djargurd Wurrong facts for kids

The Djargurd Wurrong are an Aboriginal Australian people. They traditionally lived in the Western district of State of Victoria. Their land was between Mount Emu Creek and Lake Corangamite.

Understanding the Djargurd Wurrong People

The Djargurd Wurrong are one of Australia's many First Nations groups. They have a rich history and culture. Their traditions are deeply connected to their land.

Their Language

The Djargurd Wurrong people spoke their own special language. It was called the Djargurd Wurrung dialect. This dialect is part of the larger Dhauwurd Wurrung language family.

Their Traditional Country

The Djargurd Wurrong lived on a specific area of land. This land is in what is now Victoria. Historians have discussed exactly how to map out the lands of different Aboriginal groups in this area.

Mapping Their Lands

A historian named Norman Tindale studied this area. He called the people living here the Kirrae. He thought their land covered about 1,900 square miles (4,900 km²). This area stretched from Warrnambool to Princetown on the coast. It went north to Lake Bolac and Darlington. It also reached east beyond Camperdown.

However, another historian, Ian Clark, had a different view. He said that Tindale didn't fully recognize the Djargurd Wurrung people. But he agreed they lived in the same general area.

Neighboring Groups

The Djargurd Wurrung territory shared borders with several other Aboriginal groups.

• To the north were the Wada wurrung people.
• To the west were the Dhauwurd wurrung people.
• To the south were the Girai wurrung people.
• To the east were the Gulidjan people.

A Glimpse into Their History

The Djargurd Wurrong and Gulidjan peoples have used their traditional lands for thousands of years. This includes the Western District Lakes, which is now a special protected area. Many old sites show how they lived. These sites include fish traps, tools, middens (old shell heaps), and burial places.

Challenges During European Settlement

When European settlers arrived in the 1830s and 1840s, the Djargurd Wurrong faced many challenges. There were conflicts with the settlers. They also faced attacks from the neighboring Wada wurrung tribe. Losing access to their land made it hard to find food. Sometimes, they took sheep from settlers, which led to serious conflicts.

In 1839, one of their clans, the Tarnbeere gundidj, faced a terrible event. They were attacked by Frederick Taylor and others. This place later became known as Murdering Gully.

Moving to Framlingham

In 1865, an Aboriginal reserve was set up at Framlingham. This was near Warrnambool. Many Djargurd Wurrong people who had survived were asked to move there. However, some elders chose to stay on their traditional country. They lived on the edges of towns like Camperdown.

They received help from people like James Dawson. He was a Scotsman who acted as their guardian. He supported them with his own money.

A Special Memorial

In 1883, an important Djargurd Wurrong man named Wombeetch Puuyuun (also known as Camperdown George) passed away. He was 43 years old. He was first buried outside the Camperdown Cemetery.

When James Dawson returned from a trip, he was upset about where his friend was buried. He personally reburied Wombeetch in the Camperdown Cemetery. Dawson wanted to build a monument for him. He asked for public donations, but most of the money came from himself.

A 7-meter (23 ft) tall obelisk was built. It stands as a memorial to Wombeetch Puuyuun and all the Aboriginal people of the area. This monument still inspires people today.

Their Clan System

The Djargurd Wurrong people had a special way of organizing their society. They had 12 clans. Their system was matrilineal, meaning family lines were traced through the mother.

Moieties and Intermarriage

Their society was also based on two main groups called moieties. These were the Gabadj (representing the black cockatoo) and the Grugidj (representing the white cockatoo). People from different moieties would marry each other.

The clans also married people from other groups. These included the Gulidjan, Girai wurring, Djab wurrung, and Wada wurrung peoples.

The Twelve Clans

Here are the twelve clans of the Djargurd Wurrong people and their approximate locations: