Muldjewangk facts for kids
The Muldjewangk is a mysterious water creature from Ngarrindjeri mythology. The Ngarrindjeri people are an Aboriginal group from South Australia. This creature was said to live in the Murray River, especially in Lake Alexandrina. Stories about the Muldjewangk were often told to warn children. They helped keep kids safe by the river after dark.
What is the Muldjewangk?
Sometimes, the Muldjewangk is described as an evil merfolk creature. Merfolk are like people but with fish tails. Other times, it is seen as a huge, scary monster. People have different ideas about the Muldjewangk. Some believe there is only one Muldjewangk. Others think there are many of these creatures.
A Warning Tale
One famous legend tells of a Muldjewangk attacking a steamboat. This boat belonged to early European settlers. The captain saw two large hands grabbing the boat's side. He quickly grabbed his gun. Elders from the Aboriginal community were on board. They begged the captain not to shoot. But the captain did not listen to their warnings.
The elders warned the captain that he would face bad consequences. Soon after, the captain became very sick. His body broke out in red blisters. He suffered for many months before he passed away. This story was a strong warning. It taught people to respect the river and its creatures.
Other Stories and Clues
The Muldjewangk also appears in stories about Ngurunderi. Ngurunderi is an important figure in Ngarrindjeri mythology. When Ngurunderi and his wives settled by Lake Alexandrina, the Muldjewangk bothered them. It would wreck their fishing nets.
People believed that large clumps of floating seaweed could hide Muldjewangks. So, these areas were always avoided. Some people also reported seeing very large footprints. These footprints were thought to belong to the Muldjewangk. Today, some elders say that the Muldjewangks no longer live in the river system.
See also
- Bunyip - another water monster from Indigenous Australian mythology
