Wadjiginy facts for kids
The Wadjiginy are an amazing group of Indigenous Australian people. They live in the Northern Territory, which is a part of Australia. You can find their traditional lands just north of a city called Darwin. The Wadjiginy people are known as "saltwater people" because they live near the coast. They even call themselves wagatj, which means 'beach-dwellers' in their language. This word comes from the Batjamalh language, where wagatj simply means 'beach'.
Understanding the Wadjiginy Name
For a long time, people used different names for the Wadjiginy, like Wogait. Early explorers thought this name meant 'sea folk'. However, we now know that Wogait was used for many different groups, like the Emmiyangal people. This made it hard to be exact about who was who.
The true name, Wadjiginy, comes from the word wagatj. This word is from the Batjamalh language and means 'beach'. Today, the people themselves use the name Wadyiginy to describe their group.
Where the Wadjiginy People Live
The traditional lands of the Wadjiginy people are located around a place called Anson Bay. This area stretches north from where the Daly River meets the sea, all the way up to Point Blaze.
Experts believe their land covers about 200 square miles (around 518 square kilometers). Their territory also extends inland, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the coast. This shows they lived both by the sea and a little further into the land.
Other Names for the Wadjiginy
Over time, the Wadjiginy people have been known by several other names. These names were often used by different groups or explorers. Some of these names include:
- Ami
- Amijangal
- Murinwargad (a name used by the Murinbata people)
- Wagaidj, Wagite, Waggait, Waggite
- Wagatsch, Wa(o)gatsch
- Waggote, Waggute
- Wargad (another name from the Murinbata people)
- Wogite
- Worgait, Worgite, Worgaid, Wagait
