Wilawila facts for kids

The Wilawila are an Indigenous Australian group of people. They come from the Kimberley region in Western Australia.

What's in a Name?

A famous researcher named Norman Tindale studied many Indigenous Australian groups. He said that "Wilawila" was the main name these people used for themselves.

However, a missionary named Theodore Hernández also reported another name, "Taib." Tindale thought "Taib" might be the name of a smaller group or family within the Wilawila people.

Where Did They Live?

According to Norman Tindale, the Wilawila people lived on a large area of land. Their traditional country covered about 5,300 square miles (which is about 13,727 square kilometers).

This land was mostly along the Carson River and the middle part of the Drysdale River. It stretched from a place called Mount Connelly down to the lower parts of the Gibb River and Durack River.

How Were They Organized?

The Wilawila people were divided into smaller groups, often called clans or hordes. These groups were like different families or communities living in specific areas. Here are some of the names of these groups that we know today:

• Taib: These people lived near the Carson River.
• Munumbara: They lived near the start of the Forrest River.
• Kalari: This group lived along the middle part of the Drysdale River.
• Andedja: They were found near the southern streams that flow into the upper Forrest River.
• Piarngongo: This group lived around Mount Beatrice.

Norman Tindale also mentioned a Wilawila group called the Tjawurungari or Tawandjangango. They lived on the Osborne Islands. It's believed they spoke a dialect (a slightly different version) of the language spoken by the Kambure people.

Other Names for the Wilawila People

Over time, different names or spellings have been used to refer to the Wilawila people or their subgroups. Here are some of them: