Mbewum facts for kids
The Mbewum were an Indigenous Australian group. They lived in the northern part of Queensland, on the Cape York Peninsula. Sadly, their traditional way of life changed a lot after European settlement. They lost their land and their community faced many challenges.
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The Mbewum Language
The Mbewum people spoke their own language called Mbiywom. It was part of a group of languages known as the northern Paman languages.
Where the Mbewum Lived
The Mbewum people lived on a large area of land. Their traditional territory was about 600 square miles (1,554 square kilometers). This land was near the Upper Watson River. It also included a place called Merluna, which was about 120 miles south-east of Weipa.
Later, the Mbewum's land, along with land belonging to the Totj people, became part of a large cattle farm. This farm was run by the Queensland government. By 1916, this farm had more than 12,000 cattle.
How Mbewum Society Was Organized
Like other Indigenous groups in their area, the Mbewum people had four main family groups. This system helped organize their society and relationships, as noted by R. H. Mathews.
Other Names for the Mbewum
The Mbewum people were also known by a few other names:
- KokMbewan
- Mbe:wum, Mbeiwum, M-Berwum
- Bywoom
- Kokinno
- Kokimoh
