Wagiman facts for kids
The Wagiman people are an Aboriginal Australian group from the Northern Territory in Australia. You might also see their name spelled as Wagoman, Wagaman, or Wogeman. They have a rich history and culture in their traditional lands.
Wagiman Language
The Wagiman people speak the Wagiman language. This language is special because it's a language isolate. This means it doesn't seem to be related to any other known languages.
Some people have described the Wagiman language as having a "rougher" sound. This is sometimes compared to the "smooth" sounds of the Marrithiel language. The Marrithiel language is spoken by the Marrithiyal people who live in a nearby area.
Traditional Lands
The Wagiman people traditionally lived in an area of about 4,660 square kilometers (1,800 square miles). This land was located southwest of the Daly River. It also included the area around Dorisvale and stretched north from Bamboo Creek to Douglas Homestead.
Their western border was near the Daly River Crossing, close to Mount Nancar. This spot was an important meeting place. The Wagiman people would often meet with neighboring groups like the Kamor and Ngolokwangga there. Their traditional country was known for being quite stony.
Social Groups
The Wagiman people who lived in the western parts of their territory had a special name. They were known together as the Wongkakaringa.
Other Names for Wagiman
- Wagaman
- Wageman
- Wogeman
- Wongkakaringa
- Ongkakaringa
