Koamu facts for kids
The Koamu (also known as Guwamu) were an Aboriginal Australian people. They lived in the state of Queensland, Australia.
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Understanding the Koamu Language
The Koamu people spoke the Koamu language. Experts often consider it a dialect of the Bidjara language. It was very similar to the language spoken by the Ualarai people. Because of this, some early researchers sometimes mixed them up.
Koamu Traditional Lands
The Koamu people lived on a large area of land. Their traditional territory covered about 15,500 square kilometres (6,000 square miles). They lived along the Balonne River, south of St. George. Their land reached places like Angledool and Brenda. To the west, their country stretched to Bollon and Nebine Creek. The town of Dirranbandi was also part of their territory.
Koamu Beliefs and Stories
The Koamu people had special beliefs about life and death. When a Koamu person died, their yuri or totem would meet them. A totem is like a spirit animal or plant that connects a person to their family group. This totem would then introduce the person to all their relatives in the spirit world. These relatives were the natural species that belonged to their moiety, which is a way of dividing people into groups.
One important story tells about the first bee. A bat made the first bee by sticking cockatoo feathers onto a sticky plant. The bee immediately flew away, with the bat chasing it. The bee found safety in a cave called Ungwari. The Koamu people performed special ceremonies in this cave. They did these rituals to help more bees grow in their area.
Recognizing Koamu Rights
The people who are descendants of the Koamu are now known as the Kooma people. In 2014, the state of Queensland officially recognized their native title rights. This means their traditional ownership and connection to their land was legally acknowledged.
Other Names for Koamu
The Koamu people have been known by several different names, including:
- Guamu
- Guwamu
- Oamu
- Kuam
- Kuamu
