Mowanjum Community facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MowanjumWestern Australia |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mowanjum
Location in Western Australia
|
|||||||||
| Population | 311 (2016) | ||||||||
| Location | 10 km (6 mi) south east of Derby, Western Australia | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Derby-West Kimberley | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Kimberley | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
Mowanjum is an Aboriginal community in Western Australia. It is located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) south-east of Derby. This area is part of the Kimberley region. In 2016, about 311 people lived in Mowanjum.
The community started as a mission station in 1912. A mission station was a place set up by religious groups to live with and help Aboriginal people. It was first called Port George IV mission, then Kunmunya.
Contents
History of Mowanjum
The first attempt to set up a mission was near Walcott Inlet. But the people setting it up, Robert and Frances Wilson, left because there wasn't enough fresh water.
In 1912, a new spot was chosen at Port George IV. However, this place also had problems. There wasn't enough water or good land for farming. So, the mission moved again to a new site called Kunmunya before 1930.
Rev. J.R.B. Love was an important person at the mission. He served as the superintendent from 1927 to 1941. He helped translate parts of the Bible into the Worrorra language. Children at the mission learned in both English and Worrorra.
In 1949, the mission took over a cattle station called Munja. This made things difficult for the missionaries. The crops at Kunmunya also failed. Because of these problems, everyone moved in 1951 to Wotjulum. This new place was near Yampi Sound. They moved again in 1956 to the edge of Derby, near the airport.
The name Mowanjum was given to the community in 1956 by David Mowaljarlai. It means "settled" or "on firm ground." The three men who helped start the Mowanjum Community were Albert Barunga, Alan Mungulu, and David Mowaljarlai.
The community moved one last time in 1975 to its current location. This move happened because the government needed more land for the Derby Airport.
What is Mowanjum Like?
People in Mowanjum keep strong connections to their traditional lands. They have many smaller communities called outstations. These outstations include Pantijan, Kunmunya, Dodnun, and Yallon. They are important for both European and traditional history. Mowanjum community manages these outstations.
People in Mowanjum come from three main language groups:
The number of people living in Mowanjum can change. Between 300 and 500 people live there, depending on the time of year.
Art and Culture in Mowanjum
Mowanjum Community has its own art and cultural group. It is called the Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre (MASWAC). It was started in 1998. Maxine Clarke, Mark Norval, and Donny Woolagoodja helped create it.
In 2002, a plan was made to build an art gallery and museum at Mowanjum. This new art centre was built between 2004 and 2006.
Artists from MASWAC have shown their work in big exhibitions. These shows have been all over Australia and in other countries. Wandjina artists are very important. Some famous Wandjina artists from MASWAC include Donny Woolagoodja, Mabel King, and Gordon Barunga.
The Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Festival is a very old Indigenous festival. It has happened every year since 1998.
How Mowanjum is Managed
The community is managed by its own group called Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation. This group was officially formed in 1981. It means the community makes its own decisions about how things are run.
Notable People from Mowanjum
- Elkin Umbagai (1921–1980) was a co-founder of the community. He was also a leader and an educator.
- Vinka Barunga grew up in Mowanjum and Derby. In 2016, she became the first Worrora doctor. She was also the first Aboriginal doctor in Derby. She studied at the University of Western Australia.
