Wandandian facts for kids
The Wandandian are an Aboriginal Australian people. They come from the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They have strong connections to the Yuin and Tharawal nations.
Wandandian Country
The traditional lands of the Wandandian people covered a large area. It was about 1,400 square miles (3,626 square kilometers). This land stretched from Ulladulla north to the Shoalhaven River and Nowra. To their south lived the Walbanga people. West of their lands were the Ngunawal and Walgalu tribes.
The Wandandian People
The Wandandian people had unique ways of life and beliefs. Early reports mention that tribes from Jervis Bay to Mount Dromedary were likely the Wandandian. These tribes were divided into two main groups:
- Piindri: These were the tree climbers.
- Kathoongal: These were the fishermen.
Their stories tell that the Earth was once changed. It was then repopulated by people who came from the moon.
A famous Wandandian man was Kevin "Cookie" Cook. He was a Yuin and Wandandian man. Kevin was an important Aboriginal union organiser for the Builders Labourers Federation.
Some Wandandian Words
Here are a few words from the Wandandian language:
- barbatha or baiing means "father".
- meunda or mane means "mother".
- moomaga means "white man".
- tchingar means "starfish". It also meant "policeman". This is because, like starfish, police officers can "seize and detain" (hold onto) things or people.
Other Names for Wandandian
The Wandandian people were sometimes known by other names, including:
- Tharumba
- Kurial-yuin (This means "men of the north")
- Murraygaro
- Jervis Bay tribe
