Wamin language facts for kids

Traditional lands of the Australian Aboriginal tribes around Cairns.

Agwamin (also known as Wamin or Ewamin) was an Aboriginal language from North Queensland, Australia. It was spoken by the Agwamin people. This language was traditionally used in the Etheridge area. This includes places like Einasleigh, Georgetown, and Mount Surprise. Sadly, by 1981, only one person was still speaking Agwamin. This means the language is now extinct.

Different Names for Agwamin

The Agwamin language has been known by several different names. For a long time, people thought Agwamin and Wamin were the same. They believed speakers of one could easily understand the other.

Agwamin and Wamin Dialects

However, a researcher named Sutton compared word lists. He looked at words from Agwamin and words from Wamin. His study showed that they were actually two separate dialects. A dialect is a different version of a language. It is like how people in different parts of a country might speak the same language but with different words or accents.

Other Names for Agwamin

Here are some other names that have been used for the Agwamin language:

• Wamin
• Ewamin
• Wimanja
• Egwamin
• Gwamin
• Ak Waumin
• Wommin, Waumin, Wawmin
• Walamin
• Walming
• Wailoolo

Agwamin Words and Meanings

The Agwamin language had many unique words. These words help us understand the culture of the Agwamin people. Here are a few examples of words from the Agwamin language:

• Bungaroo: turtle
• Bunnah: water (fresh)
• Burri: rock
• Gugrah: moon
• Gulberri: boy
• Guyur: fish
• Mulla: hand
• Pumbarra oomba: good day
• Yabu: father