Warrgamay facts for kids
The Warrgamay people, also known as Warakamai, are an Aboriginal Australian group from the state of Queensland. They have a rich history and culture, living in the area around Halifax Bay.
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Their Language
The language of the Warrgamay people is also called Warrgamay. Sadly, this language is now extinct, meaning it is no longer spoken. It was part of the Dyirbalic language family.
The Warrgamay language had three main ways of speaking, like different accents or local versions:
- Wargamaygan: Spoken near the lower parts of the Herbert River.
- Biyay: Spoken at the mouth of the Herbert River, around Halifax and Bemerside.
- Hinchinbrook Biyay: Spoken along the coast south of Cardwell and on Hinchinbrook Island.
Here are some words from the Warrgamay language:
- knarbo (tame dog)
- gerolo (wild dog)
- baby (father)
- kora/yong/yonga (mother)
- mecolo (white man)
Where They Lived
The Warrgamay people were the traditional owners of the land around Halifax Bay. Experts believe their tribal lands covered about 600 square miles (1,550 square kilometers). An early settler, James Cassady, said their land had 50 miles (80 kilometers) of coastline and stretched inland for about 15 miles (24 kilometers).
To their north lived the Girramay people. To their south lived the Wulgurukaba people.
How They Lived Together
The Warrgamay people were organised into several different groups or clans. These groups helped define family connections and responsibilities.
Some of these groups included:
- Ikelbara
- Doolebara
- Mungulbara
- Mandambara
- Karabara
- Bungabara
- Yoembara
Their Traditions and Customs
The Warrgamay people had many unique traditions. For example, they practiced tooth avulsion, which involved removing certain teeth as part of a ceremony. They also had ritual scarification, where special marks were made on the skin for cultural reasons. Another custom was piercing the septum (the part between the nostrils) to wear nose bones.
It was common for some men to have more than one wife. Also, if a husband passed away, his brother would often marry his widow. This custom helped ensure that families were cared for.
A Difficult Time
European settlers began arriving in the Halifax Bay area in 1865. At that time, there were estimated to be around 500 Warrgamay people. However, within 15 years, their population dropped significantly to about 200 people. This decline was due to conflicts and violence with settlers and mounted police. Many men from the Warrgamay tribe were killed during this period.
Other Names for Warrgamay
The Warrgamay people have been known by several different names and spellings over time. These include:
- Waragamai
- Wargamay
- Wargamaygan
- Bungabara
- Ikelbara
- Herbert River tribe
