Nyawigi facts for kids
The Nyawigi people are an Aboriginal Australian group. They are also known as Nyawaygi, Nywaigi, or Nawagi. Their traditional lands were around Halifax Bay in Far North Queensland. They might have also lived on Orpheus Island.
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The Nyawigi Language
The Nyawigi people had their own language. Experts tried to understand the meaning of the name "Nyawigi." They thought parts of the name might mean "no" or show belonging. However, the last people who spoke the language could not confirm these ideas. One of the last speakers was a very old person named Long Heron.
Nyawigi Traditional Lands
The Nyawigi people lived along the coast. Their land stretched for about 50 miles (80 kilometers) along the coast. It went inland for about 9 miles (15 kilometers).
Their neighbors included several other Aboriginal groups. To the north, near the Herbert River at Halifax and Ingham, were the Biyaygiri people. The Warrongo country was to their west. The Warrgamay people lived to their east, near the coast.
The Nyawigi lands covered about 2,300 square miles (5,957 square kilometers). This area was mostly southwest of the Herbert River. It included the rainforests of the Seaview Range. Their land reached southeast towards Harveyside and the Reid River.
Nyawigi Social Groups
The Nyawigi people were made up of seven main groups, often called tribes. Each of these groups likely spoke a slightly different version of the Nyawigi language. The word bara was added to their names to show belonging to that group.
The seven groups were:
- Ikelbara
- Doulebara
- Mungulbara
- Mandambara
- Karabara
- Bungabara
- Yoembara
The Nyawigi also had four main sections within their society. These sections helped organize families and marriages. They were called:
- wungu
- gurguɽu
- gurgila=gurgiŋ
- gaɽbawuɽu
Other Names for Nyawigi
- Nyawigi
- Geugagi
